BRUSSELS, June 25. /TASS/. The European Union and Russia should sit down at the negotiating table because the union cannot limit its options in ties with Russia by only applying sanctions and diplomat expulsions, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo told a press conference on Friday following the first day of the EU summit in Brussels.

"We cannot restrict our relations with and approach to Russia by solely sanctions and expulsions of diplomats. We should sit down at the negotiating table at some point," he said.

At the same time, he noted that it is not the right time for a meeting between the leaders of the EU and Russia.

On Thursday, the EU diplomatic service told TASS that the summit would consider initiatives by EU members about future relations with Russia.

On Wednesday, the Financial Times reported that German Chancellor Angela Merkel allegedly put forward the proposal to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to the meeting of EU leaders. According to the newspaper, French President Emmanuel Macron backed the initiative.