TODAY: Lithuania gives way on EU-Russia negotiations; Russia continues to threaten Georgia with more Abkhazia troops; football final could mend diplomatic relations; concern over greenhouse gas emissions and Sochi preparations; Alexander Lebedev. Lithuania has agreed to drop its objections to European Union talks with Russia on a new strategic partnership after the EU agreed to include Lithuania’s concerns in the mandate for negotiations. The news follows comments from a senior EU official calling for EU unity in dealing with Russia. Last week, the number of Russian peacekeepers in Abkhazia rose to 2,542, up from 1,997 the previous week, and the Defense Ministry continues to suggest that it could increase its forces to the maximum 3,000 allowed. The official in charge of preparations for the Champions League football final in Moscow suggests that the event could “help to unfreeze diplomatic relations between our two countries.”