TODAY: Putin says gays welcome at Olympics; IOC head praises Russia’s Games prep; Georgia to move towards EU, Lavrov warns Ukraine over closer ties; Belarus extends potash investigation; Fifa calls for assurances over racism; easier to do business in Russia than China, says World Bank.

In a bid to defuse tensions in the Russian gay community, President Vladimir Putin says his aim is for all participants and guests of the Olympics to ‘feel comfortable in Sochi, regardless of nationality, race, or sexual orientation’.  The head of the International Olympic Committee praised Russia’s preparation for the Games, expressing full confidence that they ‘will be on a magnificent level’.  The newly elected Georgian President has clearly stated his country’s designs on Europe.  Foreign Minister and ‘manly figure’, Sergei Lavrov, again threatened Ukraine that it would lose its current free trade conditions with Russia, if it makes Russia compete with products from Europe; his Ukrainian counterpart reiterated his country’s intention to sign an association agreement with the E.U. at the end of this month.  And in a further blow to its neighbour, Ukraine’s army appears to be modernising more quickly than Russia’s.  Belarus has extended its criminal investigation into the chief executive of Russia’s potash maker Uralkali, Vladislav Baumgertner.