TODAY: Russia falls in GPI index; Georgia talks held; Saakashvili fears over Mistral; France asserts commitment on sale to Russia.  Medvedev orders civil service cuts; outrage over Ekho Moskvy radio chief’s suggestions for rallies; victory for conservationists in St Petersburg; Medvedev establishes housing project.  Officers charged with plane crash credit card theft; Arkady Dvorkovich plays chess with robot

The Global Peace Index has just released its findings on 2009, which saw Russia drop to 143rd place in the rankings, due in part to the remaining effects of the 2008 Georgian war.  Georgia also fell a considerable amount due to ‘an increase in violent demonstrations, a big decrease in political stability in the year of measurement’, amongst other factors.  The two countries have held ‘tense’ talks regarding security and humanitarian issues which have lingered since the 5-day war.  Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has voiced concern about France’s plans to sell at least one Mistral warship to Russia: a commitment which France has apparently pledged to honor.   According to Russia’s top military commander, Russia needs the Mistral in order to ensure protection of the disputed Kiril Islands.  Read here about Russia’s General Staff’s plans for military districts.  Is the detente between Russia and the EU built to last?  President Medvedev has reportedly ordered a 20% reduction in the number of state officials in an apparent attempt to curb corruption.  It has been acknowledged that a car owned by Deputy Interior Minister Mikhail Sukhodolsky was in the vicinity of a crash which saw a woman injured, but the Interior Ministry denies that it was the migalki-sporting car responsible.