TODAY: Poroshenko vows to fight for energy independence, Kremlin welcomes chance to meet, calls for end to Kiev’s ‘punishment’ of its own citizens; secret Russian spending to double, says IMF; Navalny ratings fall; Duma deputy jailed for attempting to sell a seat.

Newly-elected Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko made assertive comments regarding Russia’s energy relationship with his country yesterday, vowing to fight for independence from its long-term supplier’s ‘energy truncheon’.  The EU also continues its search for independence from Russian energy, as this piece says that, thanks due to its exports to Europe, Russia can’t afford to bypass Ukraine’s pipelines.  Poroshenko said he plans to meet with President Vladimir Putin next month, as Kremlin officials said they were willing to cooperate with Ukraine’s new leader. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov welcomed ‘the opportunity to establish a mutually respectful dialogue.’  Violence is continuing in Ukraine’s breakaway regions: the airport in Donetsk was seized by pro-Russians yesterday morning.  The Kremlin is calling on Kiev to end ‘the military operations against its own people’.  Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev criticised Ukraine for its ‘absolutely unfriendly and absolutely politicised’ shutting off of water supplies to Crimea.