TODAY: Ukraine, Europe, Russia, all in negotiations; Kiev protests continue as Russia television accused of warping facts; Rogozin warns U.S.; Supreme Court rules Pussy Riot incarceration illegal; central bank reveals new currency symbol; BPF solvency under investigation.

Russia’s Duma condemned the West for interfering in Ukraine’s affairs and pressuring the government, but Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych is reportedly re-considering signing an Association Agreement with the EU – with a €20-billion catch.  Moscow and Kiev are also still in negotiations, with the former apparently offering to relieve natural gas prices if Kiev improves the terms for Russia’s naval fleet in Crimea.  Mikhail Margelov says Russia and Ukraine have a ‘pragmatic’ economic relationship, given the ‘interdependent’ nature of Ukraine’s economy.  Russia’s state television channels stand accused of misrepresenting the facts about the ongoing Kiev protests.  ‘Even by the standards of Soviet television, the Russia Channel has been churning out propaganda that would have made their Soviet predecessors blush,’ writes The Economist.  This may explain the results of a poll indicating that a majority of Russians think Ukraine would benefit from closer ties. Russia warned the U.S. against making any adjustments to the Magnitsky List, and Dmitry Rogozin says Russia will ‘respond with nuclear weapons’ if new U.S. military strategy threatens its security, but Russia also seems to be seeking trade negotiations with the U.S.  

TODAY: Ukraine, Europe, Russia, all in negotiations; Kiev protests continue as Russia television accused of warping facts; Rogozin warns U.S.; Supreme Court rules Pussy Riot incarceration illegal; central bank reveals new currency symbol; BPF solvency under investigation.

Russia’s Duma condemned the West for interfering in Ukraine’s affairs and pressuring the government, but Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych is reportedly re-considering signing an Association Agreement with the EU – with a €20-billion catch.  Moscow and Kiev are also still in negotiations, with the former apparently offering to relieve natural gas prices if Kiev improves the terms for Russia’s naval fleet in Crimea.  Mikhail Margelov says Russia and Ukraine have a ‘pragmatic’ economic relationship, given the ‘interdependent’ nature of Ukraine’s economy.  Russia’s state television channels stand accused of misrepresenting the facts about the ongoing Kiev protests.  ‘Even by the standards of Soviet television, the Russia Channel has been churning out propaganda that would have made their Soviet predecessors blush,’ writes The Economist.  This may explain the results of a poll indicating that a majority of Russians think Ukraine would benefit from closer ties. Russia warned the U.S. against making any adjustments to the Magnitsky List, and Dmitry Rogozin says Russia will ‘respond with nuclear weapons’ if new U.S. military strategy threatens its security, but Russia also seems to be seeking trade negotiations with the U.S.