Analyses

• Putin's visit to China focuses on raw material co-operation

  On 12-15 October, the Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin paid an official visit to China. The visit was mainly devoted to issues of economic co-operation. A number of economic agreements were signed, including a preliminary agreement on terms and conditions for gas supplies from Russia to China.

• The ongoing degradation of the Ukrainian army

  The Chief of staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Serhiy Kyrychenko, resigned on 5 October. Health problems were quoted as the official reason for his decision, although the media and experts in Ukraine have pointed out that the deteriorating condition of the Ukrainian army was probably the real motive behind Kyrychenko's resignation.