Reports noted that President Putin held telephonic discussion with the Israeli Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu on the current developments in Middle East. 1

According to reports, Russia will spend more than US$ 31 billion through to 2015 for developing its nuclear power industry. The next-generation nuclear power plants will include double reactor containment, passive heat removal systems, and specialized cooling units. 2

Reports noted that Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has approved of new natural resources fields in the Barents Sea for exploitation by Gazprom, which will be used without competitions or auctions. These include the Demidovsky, Medvezhy and Fersmanovsky fields in the Barents Sea and the Ledovoye condensate deposit. 3

Foreign Minister Lavrov has said that Russia is ready for talks with all groups of the Syrian opposition. 4

In other developments, according to reports, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe instructed the foreign ministries of their countries to intensify the work over a peace treaty between two nations. 5

Russia will induct up to 20 new ships in its Black Sea Fleet in the near future. The air force of the Black Sea Fleet will also receive new aircraft, including Su-24M bombers. 6

Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov has said that Russia's concerns over America's missile defence plans remain despite a meeting on this issue with his US counterpart Jim Miller. 7

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that rumours of a crisis between Russia and the EU relations is exaggerated. 8

According to reports, US President Barack Obama will visit Russia before the G20 summit to be held in St. Petersburg in early September, 2013. 9

• 1. “Putin, Netanyahu discuss situation in Middle East”, Itar-Tass, May 5, 2013, http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c32/728417.html
• 2. “Russia to spend more than $ 31 billion through to 2015 for atomic energy”, Itar-Tass, May 1, 2013, http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c32/725350.html
• 3. “Medvedev approves new natural resources fields in Barents Sea for Gazprom”, Itar-Tass, May 3, 2013, http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c32/726373.html
• 4. “Moscow is ready for talks with any groups of Syrian opposition – Lavrov”, Itar-Tass, May 3, 2013, http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c32/726489.html
• 5. “Putin, Abe instruct foreign ministries to intensify contacts on peace treaty”, Itar-Tass, April 29, 2013, http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c32/723275.html
• 6. “Up to 20 new ships, boats to join Black Sea Fleet in near future”, Itar-Tass, April 29, 2013, http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c32/722728.html
• 7. “Russian-US talks on ABM not remove Russia's concerns”, Itar-Tass, April 30, 2013, http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c32/724781.html
• 8. “Rumours about crisis in Russian-EU relations exaggerated – Lavrov”, Itar-Tass, May 2, 2013, http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c32/726019.html
• 9. “Obama to visit Russia before G20 summit in early September in Petersburg”, Itar-Tass, April 29, 2013, http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c32/723640.html