Could the Kremlin be abandoned by the Russian Orthodox Church? When ordinary Russians began protesting against the Kremlin last year, Patriarch Kirill spoke of revolutions triggering a "blood bath". The Church tried to dissuade protesters from taking to the streets and openly supported the Kremlin. But now the wind seems to be changing...
Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (pictured, left) accepted his party’s nomination to run for the presidency in March 2012. Putin also warned the West to not interfere in Russian politics ahead of parliamentary polls set for December 4.
In the musical chairs of Russian politics, the same man appears to be once again landing in the hot seat. This weekend Russia's long-term strong man Vladimir Putin confirmed he will run for presidency in 2012. Political pundits say it's now clear that Dmitry Medvedev who's been President since Putin relinquished the post, was only keeping the seat warm for Putin who was barred by the constitution from running for a third term.
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, albeit in a British jail, continues to rock the world of diplomacy. One commentator wonders whether he isn’t a neo-con tool, while a source in the Kremlin is reported as saying Assange should get the Nobel Peace Prize. That’s the focus in today’s international press review: THURSDAY 9TH DECEMBER 2010
When Russia burns in the worst forest fires in more than a century, it’s Vladimir Putin to the rescue. So how do Russians feel about it all? What does this disaster say about the country and the relationship between the government and the people? And how is it playing it out among the powerbrokers at the top?
When Russia burns in the worst forest fires in more than a century, it’s Vladimir Putin to the rescue. So how do Russians feel about it all? What does this disaster say about the country and the relationship between the government and the people? And how is it playing it out among the powerbrokers at the top?
Though Moscow's stock market is hit harder than its counterparts in Paris or London, Russian media are limiting their coverage of the financial crisis to Wall Street's debacle, thereby adhering to confidence-boosting instructions from the Kremlin.
Kremlin 
