Medvedev refuses to reveal his favourite candidate in Ukraine's elections

Moscow, December 24 (Interfax) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has refused to reveal who he is backing in next month's presidential election in Ukraine. "Russia does not and cannot have its candidates there. Ukraine is an independent sovereign state, where the president will be elected by the (Ukrainian) people. I am confident that they can understand the political declarations and the complex political struggle taking place there," Medvedev said responding to questions from the heads of the three federal television channels in a live interview on Dec. 24.Medvedev said Russia is hoping that the future president of Ukraine will develop relations with Russia, will not "hurt" the Russian language, and will not drag Ukraine into NATO.

Lutsenko promises to name force planning vote-rigging at January polls

The Ukrainian Interior Ministry has information suggesting a possible vote-rigging attempt by one of the political forces during the country's presidential elections in January, Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko said at a news conference in Rivne on Dec. 25. "There is certain information that individual political figures are preparing falsifications," Lutsenko said.Asked to name a political force that could be planning this vote-rigging attempt, the minister said that "the answer to this question will be made public in the near future, but it is at least unreasonable to announce the Interior Ministry's special operation."Lutsenko also said he ruled out parliament's possible early dissolution after the presidential polls."Should [Ukrainian Prime Minister] Yulia Volodymyrivna Tymoshenko win, parliament will remain intact. [First Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr] Turchynov will become acting prime minister. A more stable majority will emerge in parliament," the minister said."Moreover, I predict that the president will attend nearly all sessions of the government. She [Tymoshenko] will personally oversee the fulfillment of all the set tasks. As you know, should Tymoshenko be elected [Ukraine's] president, any premier and parliament will only perform their original functions," he said."Hypothetically, in the event of another scenario, the dissolution of parliament is also unlikely," he added.

Ukrainian president signs law ratifying cooperation agreement with Russia on use of outer space

Kyiv, December 25 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko has signed a Ukrainian law on the ratification of a framework agreement between the Ukraine Cabinet of Ministers and the Russian government on the protection of technology due to cooperation in the exploration and use of space for peaceful purposes, and the creation and operation of rocket technology. The text of a decree to that effect was posted on the official Web site of the head of state on Friday.As reported, on December 17, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, ratified a Ukrainian-Russian agreement on cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.The agreement foresees that the sides sign it to establish cooperation in the protection of technology due to the implementation of joint programs in the exploration and use of space for peaceful purposes, as well as the creation and operation of rocket technology.According to the document, the sides take measures so that such activity corresponds to the needs of securing protected products and technologies.The sides also agreed to take measures to prevent unauthorized access to products and technologies and perform functions on the physical and legal protection of products and technologies.The sides will monitor potential risks and agree with the governments of third countries on ensuring that such monitoring is conducted on their territories.The agreement foresees that the organs empowered to implement the agreement are the National Space Agency of Ukraine, the Russian Federal Space Agency, the Russian Defense Ministry, and the Russian Federal Service for Technical and Export Control.The president also signed a law ratifying an inter-governmental agreement between Ukraine and South Korea on amending a trade agreement between the two countries, which was signed on November 30, 1995.

British in Magnitsky, Yukos rows with Moscow

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has told members of the House of Lords that he is "deeply concerned" about the Nov. 16 death in prison of Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky and has called for a "full and transparent" investigation, raising the prospect of a new row between London and Moscow over the rule of law.
The Daily Telegraph reported that the British government was closely following the ongoing Russian fraud case involving Hermitage Capital Management, who Magnitsky was representing. He died after allegedly failing to receive medical treatment while in pre-trial detention.
Hermitage CEO Bill Browder said: "Gordon Brown has shown ... that people around the globe are deeply concerned about ... the deterioration of the rule of law in Russia."
In another possible row with Britain, Russian prosecutors have indicated they are seeking the extradition of former Yukos treasurer Andrei Leonovich in connection with the ongoing trial of jailed oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Kommersant reported in an article titled: "We ask and ask. But Britain doesn't give them up."
Leonovich fled to the UK in 2004 after Khodorkovsky's arrest.
Britain's refusal to extradite several Russian businessmen wanted by Russian prosecutors, including former Kremlin kingmaker Boris Berezovsky, has led to strained relations with London.

Reproduction Soviet Posters

These colourful pieces of propaganda art can bought individually or as a set. Collections are designed around conceptual or aesthetic themes such as space, travel or Constructivism.
Where? Available in bookshops and the specialist shops in the Tretyakov Gallery and the Museum of Contemporary History, where you can also buy authentic memorabilia. For great collections and originals, check out http://www.antikbar.ru/
How much? Individual posters cost about 100 roubles. Collections from 500 roubles.

Russian calendar

The ubiquitous Medny Vsadnik calendars have colourful photos on such themes as "Moscow by Night" and "Treasures of the Hermitage". There are also "Russian Tea Drinking" and "Russian Vodka" series, with seasonal samovars or bottles surrounded by snowy outdoor picnics, fireside cakes or dacha gardens. On the "Russian Cuisine" calendar, you even get a recipe for each month, from borshch in January through Easter cake and stewed rabbit to stuffed suckling pig in December. Check out the collection at http://www.mvsadnik.ru/
Where? Practically any bookshop. Biblio Globus has a good selection in the basement, along with art books and poster collections.
How much? About 200 roubles.

Russian gifts: all wrapped up

The dreaded Christmas shopping season is here again. What can you take to your friends and relatives that is affordable and distinctively Russian? If you've been here any length of time, they probably have all the matryoshkas, Gzhel figurines, birch wood boxes and painted trays they can comfortably use (and possibly more). Here are some other ideas for accessible gifts that cost less than 500 roubles. Good places to shop include factory outlets, museum shops and churches (great shawls!), as well as the Vernissage in Izmailovo craft market - a huge and colourful one-stop shop for souvenirs. For pricey but original gifts, you might want to check out the boutiques at Winzavod or the Byuro Nakhodok chain, with their caviar-tin pillows and abacus clocks