It is possible that some anti-Russian countries within the EU will continue to block Russia-EU partnership talks, says political analyst Aleksandr Pikaev. Still, the eventual launch of the talks is a big step.

It always takes time for large powers to agree on strategic issues, believes Olga Butorina, head of the European Integration Department at the Moscow Institute of International Relations. She joined RT to discuss the EU-Russia summit.

Russia and the EU are expected to resume talks on a new strategic pact covering trade, energy and security. Mikhail Troitsky from the Moscow State University of International Relations told RT about the benefits of such an agreement.