The EU will discuss possible steps in the development of cooperation with Russia - in addition to those that have already been established, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who arrived at the EU summit, told reporters.

Earlier, the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell and the European Commission stated the need to continue adhering to the five principles regarding Russia, which were adopted back in 2016 and include the full implementation of the Minsk agreements on Ukraine. It particularly means strengthening cooperation with the EU's eastern partners, ensuring the energy security of the European Union, developing the European-Russian cooperation on international issues of interest to the EU; and support for civil society in Russia and relations between the peoples of the Russian Federation and the EU.