TODAY: Medvedev’s Russia Day speech focuses on freedom and democracy; Bush and Merkel discuss Russia; Jacques Chirac given Russian award; Yushchenko reassures Russia that its NATO bid is not aimed at Moscow; NATO to discuss Georgia situation. Yesterday was Russia Day, “when Russians celebrate their independence—from their own empire.” Speaking at the Kremlin’s celebrations to mark the occasion, Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia must ensure that the country’s economic success produces higher living standards for the population, and generally reinforced Russia’s need for democracy and freedom.