Reports have emerged following yesterday's meeting between 'comfortable' duo Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Yulia Tymoshenko.  Bloomberg says Putin's announcement that Ukraine would not be penalized for consuming less gas than was contracted was warmly received by Tymoshenko, who pledged that payments would be made on time.  'It would be very good to meet the New Year without calamities,' Putin said, guaranteeing stable supplies (click here for some transit figures).  This exchange was overshadowed by Medvedev's advisor in Moscow, who reportedly complained about 'political blackmail' in light of Tymoshenko's decision to increase transit fees earlier this week. The Guardian points out that TNK-BP's new chief executive, the choice of its oligarch board, is 'inexperienced', but BP insists that it was not 'steamrollered' into accepting him.  Russia's stepped-up pledge for emissions reductions is drawing positive reports.  ...

TODAY: Medvedev's state of the nation address warns opposition against using democracy to rock the boat; talks up modernization. Media unconvinced President can match word with deed. Topol-M problem for START replacement talks;  Litvinenko suspect Lugovoi willing to speak to London prosecutors?; is Russia really cracking down on nationalists; Putin world's third most powerful according to ForbesIn President Medvedev's second state-of-the-nation address, highlights of which can be found here, he warned opposition politicians not to use democracy as a way to 'destabilize the state and split society'. The fact that the speech emphasized long-term goals, related to cutting time zones, technology and industrial modernization, heralds a call for re-election argues one analyst, quoted in the Moscow ...

Bob has an opinion article in today's edition of the Guardian stressing the importance of linking human rights with foreign relations during David Miliband's visit to Russia this week, and elsewhere in the same paper, Mikhail Khodorkovsky's mother has issued her own appeal to the foreign secretary.

At least one report confirms that Khodorkovsky's case will indeed be discussed.

Miliband has started on this path already, apparently. He met with human rights activists today where, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Libery, he "expressed his concern over the killings of activists of nongovernmental organizations in Russia and the pressure that is being imposed on civil society."

Miliband also pressed Russia to

...

TODAY: Did Clinton get what she wanted?; media reports possible silence for sanctions deal; START treaty progress.  Georgia accused of abetting al-Qaida; Putin 'satisfied' with job.  German official castigates Medvedev for investigation into Stalin-researching historian; the man of steel's grandson loses battle with newspaper; psychological perils of police force and military; mafia boss funeral. According to the Moscow Times, Hillary Clinton received a 'cool welcome' from Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the crucial issue of sanctions on Iran, with Russia still resisting.  Clinton apparently 'brave-faced' it, saying, 'we did not ask for anything today. We reviewed the situation', and added 'Russia has been extremely co-operative in the work we have done together'.  Reports have circulated that the ...

President Medvedev has reportedly said that the damage caused by the financial crisis was far worse than expected and the economy may contract by 7.5% this year.  In an interview with state television, Medvedev designated priorities for economic modernization: 'energy efficiency [...] information products, both ground- and space-based; nuclear energy [...] and pharmaceuticals as we must produce our own medicinal drugs'.  The President also said that Russia will need as long as 15 years to reduce its reliance on raw materials.  Avtovaz plans to start the production of Renault and Nissan vehicles in 2012, suggesting that the French automaker is attempting to comply with the Kremlin's demands for financial commitment.  Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has called for domestically produced medicines to represent at least 50% of total sales in Russia within three years, from the current 20%.  Media ...

TODAY: United Russia sweep polls at regional elections; accusation of vote-rigging fly.  Mitvol receives unusual delivery.  Medvedev had no time for Yushchenko at CIS summit; positive on Obama's peace prize; Ecuador looking for weapons deals?; Russia bids to host World CupWith almost 90% of the votes counted in Moscow, the city's election Committee has reported that the United Russia party has garnered 66.10% of the vote, with the Communist Party coming in second at 13.28%, sufficient for three seats in the 35-member chamber.  Vladimir Putin's party is apparently likely to have dominated in other regions.  The Guardian reports on allegations of vote-rigging; talk of which has seen leading opposition candidates scorn Medvedev's promise to uphold ...

St. Jude Medical, Inc. (STJ) received the CE (Conformite Europeenne) Mark of approval for the world’s smallest, longest-lasting rechargeable deep brain stimulation (DBS) device, known as the Brio neurostimulator. The device is used for treating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The Brio neurostimulator has 10-year battery longevity. This provides patients sustainable therapy for a longer period and maximizes the time between device replacement procedures. According to the European Parkinson’s Disease Association, Parkinson’s disease affects approximately 6.3 million people globally. People between 40 and 70 years of age, with an average age of 60, are mostly affected by this disease. The Brio neurostimulator approval enhances the breadth of St. Jude’s product offerings in the deep brain stimulation systems and increases the company’s top-line. St. Jude is a leading medical device manufacturer that designs, manufactures and distributes medical devices to treat cardiovascular and neurological conditions. St. Jude ...

TODAY: Russia relenting on Iran sanctions; calls missile defense decision constructive; arms reductions talks are apparently progressing apace; Medvedev urges for Middle East arms cuts too.  Island cooperation for Japan and Russia; Georgia undecided on Guantanamo guests; Poland - officially - condemns Soviet invasion. Moscow mayor doesn't take criticism lightly. President Medvedev has apparently agreed following talks with Barack Obama to consider sanctions if Iran does not agree to transparency about its nuclear program. 'Sanctions rarely lead to productive results but in some cases are inevitable', the Russian president has said.  'The sanctions Medvedev has in mind might fall far short of those that the White House are thinking of', suggests a piece in the Guardian.  The ...

TODAY: US missile defense in Eastern Europe plans officially scrapped in favor of 'more efficient' new program.  A matter of concession or conviction on Obama's part; mixed reaction from former would-be host countries fearful of Russian dominance; is the US expecting Russian cooperation in Iran in return wonders media - and will it get it?  NATO to have increased involvement in new plans. Georgia and Russia to negotiate.  Gapzrom may get its tower. The US plans to build missile defense bases in Poland and the Czech Republic have been binned; the Moscow Times reprints President Obama's speech on the decision here.  'This is not about Russia',  White House spokesman Robert Gibbs has said.  According to the ...

This post provides links to a number of interesting articles I have read over the past few days that you may also enjoy.

• Brett Arends (The Wall Street Journal): What price suits gold?, September 16, 2009. Gold bullion just crossed $1,000 an ounce. But what’s it really worth? Leading gold bugs see prices tripling someday, but others say its current level is about right.

• Willem Buiter (Financial Times): Expect little and you may yet be disappointed, September 15, 2009. Until yesterday’s defeat of Roger Federer in the final of the US Open at Flushing Meadows, the most disappointing development this year was the performance of president Barack Obama and his administration - and my expectations were modest to begin with.

• Joseph Stiglitz (The Guardian): For all Obama’s talk of overhaul, the US has failed to wind in

...