TODAY: Wide-ranging talks with China conclude;  opinion argues Russia the weak link in BRIC; milk war with Belarus over, but gas battle to begin?; NGO law reforms presented; extradition of Chichvarkin demanded

The ‘friendly, constructive and confidential’ talks between Dmitry Medvedev and Chinese Chairman Hu Jintao have confirmed their ‘strategic relationship’, says the Russian President, who believes the level of cooperation met by the two nations is ‘exemplary’.  The countries have pledged to increase the use of their national currencies in bilateral trade.  They have expressed serious concern about North Korea and agreed that diplomatic efforts should be made to ease tensions over its nuclear program as well as that of Iran.  According to RFE/RL, Medvedev also made a dig at Washington, stating that no country should base its military on missile defense.  Russia has expressed some hopes regarding this thorny issue, with Deputy Defense Minister Vladimir Popovkin telling reporters that the Obama administration was more ‘down-to-earth and more realistic‘.   A Russian observer has called the Iranian election ‘absolutely democratic’.