TODAY: Russia accuses foreigners of fighting for Georgia; Poland denounces Russia after motorcade shooting; Medvedev arrives in Brazil, sealing various Latin American deals; UK surveillance suspect Russian teapot.  Politkovskaya trial to restart ahead of schedule.

President Dmitry Medvedev has arrived in Brazil for a three-day visit.  During Medvedev’s Peruvian visit, it was agreed that Russian technicians will train Peru’s military to repair Russian-made helicopters.  Russian warships are due to arrive in Venezuela today for joint naval exercises, according to Hugo Chávez, who insists that the exercises are not ‘provocation, just relationship building‘.  Many – including the Kremlin – see this cooperation, taking place ‘in America’s back yard‘, as a challenge to US dominance.  Conversely, both Medvedev and Vladimir Putin are voicing their hopes for improved relations with the US, with Putin announcing last night, ‘we hope that the new leadership of the United States will be more constructive, and will help us come to a mutually acceptable solution‘ on the START treaty.