TODAY: Divided voices on US-Russia relations; Ukraine to seek $5 billion loan from Russia; Belarusian president leaning on Russia; visa rules to be eased for skilled workers; Moscow holds its biggest ever contemporary art exhibition.

A Republican senator has urged the US to mend ties with Russia, threatening that ‘the foundation of the US-Russian strategic relationship is at risk of collapsing in less than nine months’, but Russia’s Foreign Ministry is sounding much more optimistic about restored relations, referring to initial contact as ‘encouraging’.  A ministry spokesman said Moscow is ready to make progress on difficult issues such as the US missile defense shield and the reduction of strategic arms, and informal meetings between top officials are currently in progress ahead of a presidential exchange.