TODAY: Putin and EU speak of agreement on Syria plan; President defends Russia’s rights record and jailing of Yukos founder.  Medvedev attempts to underscore his authority; Prokhorov forms new party; Gennady Zyuganov did not have heart attack, say Communists.  Navalny fined; protestor faces draconian sentence

At President Putin’s relatively smooth meeting with EU leaders in St Petersburg, European Council President Herman van Rompuy stated that the two sides ‘fully agree’ that Kofi Annan’s peace plan for Syria is the ‘the best opportunity’ to prevent civil war in the country.  Putin called for a ‘long-term plan for cooperation’ with the bloc, but warned that a ‘pragmatic, businesslike approach without any ideological or other stereotypes‘ was necessary.  He also dismissed criticisms regarding Russia’s human rights record, arguing that Russia has no political prisoners and defending the jailing of Mikhail Khodorkovsky.  Regarding the Kremlin’s stance on Syria, he can certainly count on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for support.