Russia lifts its embargo on weapons supplies to Libya; Russia insists US to provide guarantees that the Missile Defence Shield will not be used against it; Russia and France agree to develop their bilateral relations; Medvedev proposes more rapid increase
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    • According to reports, Russia has lifted its embargo on weapons exports to Libya which it had imposed during the turmoil in the region. 1

    President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia will insist that the United States give guarantees under which missile defence was not targeted against Russia. 2

    Russian President Vladimir Putin and France’s President Elect Francois Hollande in a telephonic conversation have expressed “their firm commitment to pool efforts to ensure progressive development of relations between Russian and France, which are of top priority for both states.” 3

    Dmitry Medvedev has proposed to increase alcohol and tobacco excises more rapidly than planned. At present alcohol and tobacco excises will grow by 20% by 2015. 4

    Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has instructed the Industry Ministry, the Foreign Ministry and the United Aircraft-Building Corporation to investigate the incident with the Sukhoi Superjet 100 that went missing in Indonesia on Wednesday, May 9. At present, Armavia and Aeroflot – Russian Airlines have eight Sukhoi Superjet 100 planes. As of the middle of April the planes have made over 3,350 commercial flights with about 6,500 flying hours. There are about 170 orders for the Sukhoi Superjet 100 planes. 5

    Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted to the State Duma lower parliament house the candidature of his predecessor, Dmitry Medvedev, for the post of Russian prime minister. It is expected that the State Duma will approve Medvedev as new prime minister at its extraordinary session on Tuesday, May 8. 6

    According to reports, European Union foreign ministers will meet on May 14 to discuss international agenda issues, from the situation in Afghanistan and the Middle East to the human rights situation in Ukraine. Another important theme of the meeting in Brussels will be relations with Russia. 7

    Sakhalin Region governor Alexander Khoroshavin has said that foreign investors from South Korea and China will for the first time come to the Kuril Islands and Japanese investors are also welcome to invest un the region. These projects are within the broader objective of development of Russia’s Far East. 8

    Russia is testing Italy's Centauro wheeled tank and considering building it under license. The first two machines with 105-mm and 125-mm guns are on trial at a Moscow Region proving ground. The 24 ton tank has a four-man crew, top speed of 100 km/h (60 mph) and range of 800 km (500 miles). It has a main gun and two 7.62 mm machineguns. In the past, Russia had signed a deal with Italy in December for the semi-knocked down assembly of 60 Lynx light multirole armoured vehicles (LMV) from Iveco. 9

    In other developments, Medvedev has instructed to make proposals, by July, on amendments to the Russian laws on the procedure of rallies, marches, demonstrations and pickets, and to laws on administrative liability to secure better protection of constitutional rights and freedoms of Russian citizens. 10

    According to reports, Russia's gold and foreign exchange reserves plunged by 0.4 billion dollars (or by 0.73 percent) from 523.3 billion dollars to 522.9 billion dollars as of April 27-May 4. The level of gold and foreign exchange reserves totaled 498.649 billion dollars as at January 1. The record level of Russia’s gold and foreign exchange reserves—598.1 billion dollars was set on August 8, 2008. 11

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