TODAY: Russia accuses West of seeking regime change through sanctions; ‘Day of Silence’ in Ukraine in attempt to rebuild ceasefire; Mistrals or money says Kremlin; military spending splurge. Ruble falling with oil prices; investor jitters widespread.  Gas flow to Ukraine resumes; TV channel Rain seeking home once more.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has told the state duma that the goal of Western sanctions ‘is to create social and economic conditions to carry out a change of power in Russia‘.  Ukraine is planning a ‘Day of Silence’ today in an attempt to restore the truce with pro-Russian separatists, though a Ukrainian military spokesman asserted that ‘if separatists attack, we will fire in response.’  Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is aware that a deescalation of tensions will require long-term efforts.  Is a frozen conflict the preferable outcome for Russia?   The weekend’s impromptu mediation by French President Francois Hollande has been seen as a way of ‘preventing Russia-EU relations from going to the dogs‘, now that Germany has lost patience with Moscow.  The Kremlin says if France refuses to sell its promised Mistral warships, it will simply demand a refund.  Despite tales of financial woe, Russia will increase military spending by 30% next year to a record post-Soviet high of $62 billion.  NATO jets intercepted 28 Russian military planes over the Baltic Sea yesterday, more than in past weeks combined.