On 16 December the spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Defence said that Iskander were part of the equipment of the Western Military District.

On 12 December a coalition agreement was approved, it will let establish a joint government with the Social Democratic leader Bohuslav Sobotka as prime minister.

On 12 December President Vladimir Putin made his annual speech at the Federal Assembly which is an important political signal to the elite.

The round table talks between the government and the opposition on 13 December failed to bring about a breakthrough in the political crisis.

A number of documents enhancing the co-operation between Russia and Ukraine, were signed during the meeting of Presidents Vladimir Putin and Viktor Yanukovych.

Half a million of new citizens form a potential electorate for Hungarian political parties in the upcoming general election scheduled for spring 2014.

Russian air policing in Belarus confirms the lack of balance in military relations between Moscow and Minsk.

The protests in Ukraine present a huge challenge for Russia – both for its reputation in the international arena and in internal affairs.

The protesters are no longer concerned with the relations with EU, but are now calling for the overthrow of President Viktor Yanukovych.

So far the intensification of political contacts has not been accompanied by the dynamic influx of Chinese investment which the region’s governments expected.