January 9, 2015 By Robert Amsterdam

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – Jan 9, 2015

TODAY: Lavrov meets fellow diplomats to discuss Ukraine; Latvia and EU see signs of change on Russian side; Merkel says no end to sanctions until Minsk agreement reinstated; give Ukraine $50 billion, says Soros; Medvedev decree bans transgender people from driving; earthquakes, volcanoes, and avalanches in the Far East.