The Kremlin has made its ‘final decision‘ on the Khimki forest, approving the long and violently-opposed plan to build a highway through it; and in a second blow to the opposition, under a revised law, citizens charged with ‘minor administrative offenses‘ will be barred from attending protest rallies.  Some concessions today, also: following public anger and a wave of reported abuse from drivers using migalki (flashing blue lights affixed to the vehicles of state officials), Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has ruled that all officials using them must pass training.  And another embattled project, the St Petersburg Gazprom tower, will be relocated following criticism from residents; with hints that President Dmitry Medvedev’s position had a ‘direct bearing‘ on the decision.  Putin says that the arrest of Julian Assange reflects badly on the West’s idea of democracy, and gives the US little solid ground from which to criticize Russia. ‘If it is full democracy, then why have they hidden Mr. Assange in prison? That’s what, democracy?‘  His sentiments were echoed by many prominent Russians.  The latest WikiLeaks suggest that Serbian officials believe that Russia is withholding information about the whereabouts of its fugitive general Ratko Mladić.  NATO insists that, despite recent leaks about secret defense plans against Russia, its relationship with the country is improving: ‘We do not consider Russia a threat to NATO, nor does NATO present a danger to Russia.‘