A Russia-EU summit in Helsinki November 24 is expected to start talks on a new cooperation and partnership agreement to replace the current cooperation deal signed with the European Union in 1997.
The EU's 25 nations need to reach unanimity to launch the negotiations. However, on the eve of the summit, Poland scrapped its approval for the bloc's talks with Russia, demanding that Moscow lift a ban on Polish food imports.
"Poland cannot veto the Russia-EU talks because the European Union's energy interests are closely linked with Russia," said Viktor Mironenko, head of the EU-East Europe Center at the Institute of Europe.
Poland also wants Russia to ratify an international Energy Charter, including commitments to open up access to its natural gas pipeline transport system.
But the Energy Charter was signed in 1994, and much has changed in the world, in Russia and with the energy situation since then, Mironenko said.
"Russian diplomacy has all the arguments to show that the charter in its current form does not meet Russia's interests," the expert said.
Poland also deplores that the North European gas pipeline, currently under construction, will bypass its territory, an expert said.
"Poland is upset that the gas pipeline is being laid along the bed of the Baltic Sea rather than across its territory," said Vladimir Gutnik, head of the Center of European Studies at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations.
He said Poland's position was an element of bargaining rather than confrontation. Poland's veto of a new Russia-EU economic pact is an attempt to secure some concessions from Russia in trade relations, Gutnik said.
