TODAY: Medvedev “charms” EU officials at summit; United Russia meeting suggests Putin’s influence will continue; traffic arrest highlights corruption; Duma to create DNA database?; bishop dismissed for criticizing the Kremlin. The first EU-Russia summit with Dmitry Medvedev “was indeed a very good and constructive one”, according to Jose Manuel Barroso. The Russian president’s “charm campaign” reportedly included his bringing gifts for top EU officials. But the summit reportedly uncovered tensions with Estonia and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow is unlikely to make compromises with the EU over a wood tariffs dispute with Finland. At a United Russia meeting, Boris Gryzlov said that the party is opposed to gubernatorial elections, preferring the “vertical of power”. Vladimir Putin implied that the party was willing to begin accepting ideas from other parties, emphasizing “dialogue” and saying that “real political leadership doesn’t mean being isolated with your own ideas and instantly rejecting those of other people.” Putin suggested that he may hold call-in shows with the populace as part of his work as chief of United Russia, just as he did in his previous role as President. Putin insists that next year’s near-doubling of Russia’s minimum wage will not significantly impact inflation. Public sector wages are due to rise 30%, and pensions by 16%.