Russia's display of heavy weapons in this year's Victory Day parade in Moscow is "not sabre-rattling", President Vladimir Putin insists.
During his eight years as president, Vladimir Putin put oil-rich Russia back on the world stage.
The sooner the EU and its neighbour forge a more open political and economic relationship, the better for both
Russia will start restricting foreign investment in key sectors of the economy such as energy and aviation.
The European Commission ruled out on Monday the possibility of linking Russia up to the Nabucco gas pipeline, stressing that Europe would stick to its aim of diversifying EU supplies.
Tens of thousands of Jews who fled oppression in the former Soviet Union are returning to Russia to make the most of an economic boom, even though a new strain of anti-Semitism is emerging in their old homeland.