Kyrgyzstan and eurasian integration: minimizing the related risks
Currently Kyrgyzstan is working on joining both the Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Community and the Common Economic Space of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan (Kyrgyzstan is a longstanding EurAsEc member). READ MORE
Opinion: Putin's 'disappointing' state of the nation address
In his first state of the nation address since his reeletion to the Kremlin for a third term, President Vladimir Putin defended the status quo. It was a disappointing speech, says DW's Ingo Mannteufel. READ MORE
Moscow-on-Thames
Britain's Conservatives are rolling out the red carpet for Vladimir Putin's wealthy oligarchs. READ MORE
Integrating Russia’s Post-Imperium
With Russia’s 2012 presidential elections effectively over since Vladimir Putin’s decision to reclaim his old Kremlin office, it is time to turn from personalities to policies. Putin plans to stay in the Kremlin for two more presidential terms, another 12 years, as he is enabled to do by the recently-amended constitution. So who will be Russia’s next president is now a certainty; less obvious is what he hopes to achieve. READ MORE
Russia's Putin fires top general amid corruption scandal
President Vladimir Putin dismissed the chief of staff of Russia's armed forces on Friday in a reshuffle of the military top brass, three days after sacking his defense minister following a corruption scandal. READ MORE
In Russia, with love? Ukraine president meets Putin as options dwindle
Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych, who met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow yesterday, may have no option but to warm to Russia despite being aggravated over high Russian gas prices. READ MORE
What Does Russo–Serbian Strategic Partnership Mean?
Serbia is the key target of Russian foreign policy in the Western Balkans, as Moscow’s main strategic objective remains forestalling the European democratic integration in the Balkans and Eastern Europe as a whole. In that context, keeping Serbia out of NATO and the EU preserves a major outpost of Russian influence and perpetuates an unresolved status quo in the former Yugoslavia, most notably with respect to Kosovo. READ MORE
Russia “cements” relations with Central Asian states
Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visits to the Central Asian states, including Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, demonstrates the country's willing to "cement" its relations with them, the U.S. expert on Central Asia Bruce Pannier believes. READ MORE
Russia Bolsters Influence In Kyrgyzstan As US Nears Airbase Exit
Vladimir Putin is getting most of what he wants out Kyrgyzstan, including a lease extension on a Russian airbase and part ownership of a torpedo plant, while America's star there is on the wane. READ MORE
