TODAY – Russia’s foreign minister says the country has not become isolated since its war with Georgia; Medvedev to modernise its armed forces, says Russia not be affected by the financial crisis; OPEC head Chakib Kheli says Russia is welcome to join the cartel, another Chechen murdered, UK hopes Russia will reconsider recognition, and Russia will modernize Nicaragua’s military.

Moscow’s chief diplomat commented that contrary to claims that Russia has become a pariah since the invasion of Georgia, they are feeling quite popular at the UN General Assembly. “I have (had) more requests for bilateral meetings during the current session than in recent years,” he said.

Lavrov reiterated that Russia had only intervened to protect the South Ossetians from being killed by Georgian attacks. He acknowledged however, that Russia had originally considered the idea of preemptively attacking the Georgians, which he claimed could have saved several hundred Ossetian lives.

Russia has chosen to “fight back” against U.S. criticism by refusing to attend talks at the U.N. on Iran’s nuclear issues. Lavrov laid it bare during a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations: “You cannot really have it both ways, punishing Russia by canceling the forums that are very important for the entire world at the same time demanding Russia’s cooperation on the issues that are of importance to you.“

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