The war in Georgia, short and bloody as it was, has called into question the whole relationship between Russia and its neighbours in the European Union, as well as relations with the US and Nato. Gordon Brown, the UK prime minister, says there should be a "root and branch" review of all aspects.

There are divided views in the EU on whether outright sanctions on Russia are justified for invading Georgia and recognising the independence of the secessionist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. But all the European leaders meeting for an emergency summit in Brussels today seem to agree that there must and will be "consequences" for Russia's refusal to recognise the sovereignty and integrity of its neighbour.