As the European Union prepares to restart talks on cooperation with Russia, the United States is warning that the move could undermine Western attempts to rein in the Kremlin's aggressive foreign policy. (...) "We cautioned the EU and its member states about starting the partnership and cooperation negotiations in light of Russia not fulfilling the cease-fire agreement," U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Merkel said in a statement to The Associated Press. Beginning the negotiations "before these commitments have been met could be misunderstood by Moscow, leaving it with the impression that the EU values its relationship with Russia far more that Moscow does with the EU."