TODAY: NATO and Russia resume formal dialogue; Russia-Ukraine tensions easing?; Kyrgyzstan denies talks with US on military base; Kasparov confronts prosecutor at Yukos trial; Novaya Gazeta wins award

Formal contacts between Russia and NATO have officially recommenced under the framework of the NATO-Russia Council.  Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has voiced optimism but warned that differences are likely to remain.  NATO has expelled two Russian diplomats on the basis of undercover intelligence activity, the FT reports.  Kyrgyz Prime Minister Igor Chudinov has denied that he is in talks with Washington on the prospect of keeping a US military base open.  Defense cooperation between Russia and China is not ‘aimed against third countries‘, states President Medvedev.  Following a meeting of the Arctic Council, Sergei Lavrov has said Russia has no plans to bolster its military presence in the region.