Russia should be viewed by the European Union as a “strategic partner” and not as a “hostile force.” This was stated today on the eve of the opening of the EU summit in Brussels by Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, Prime-TASS reports . The head of the Italian Foreign Ministry emphasized that the European Union “should not break its ties” with Russia.

Russia's recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia a week ago was questioned by most observers, who hoped that the current Kremlin was too strongly integrated into global financial schemes and therefore would not sharply escalate the confrontation with the West. Nevertheless, it took place.

Consulates of the Russian Federation in Georgia may stop issuing Russian visas to citizens of this republic, Lenta.ru reports with reference to RIA Novosti. According to the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Andrei Nesterenko, such an opportunity is associated with the upcoming breakdown of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The source close to the largest Russian mining and metallurgical company OJSC Mechel reported that Mechel concluded five-year contracts for the supply of coking coal with the companies of OJSC Severstal, OJSC MMK and Evraz Group SA, Vesti TV channel reports. According to him, the “Mechel” in connection with the order of the Federal Antimonopoly Service also renegotted contracts for the supply of coking coal with a 15 percent discount with NLMK, “Magnik”, “Severstal”, Evraz and Altai-Cox.

Today, the coaching headquarters of the Russian national team has published a list of players caused to prepare for the qualifying match of the 2010 World Cup with the Wales team, which will be held on September 10 at the Lokomotiv stadium, the RFU press service lines.

Before Magomed Evloev was detained, he had a portfolio with a laptop and money in the amount of 3 million rubles. According to the Ingushetia.Ru report, he reported on the availability of money in a telephone conversation with Maksharip Aushev, who confirmed this fact, however, during the detection of Magomed's body, there was only one mobile phone with him. According to the site, a bag with a laptop and money assigned the killers who threw the body of Yevloev at the Republican Hospital.

The head of Rosprirodnadzor, Vladimir Kirillov, signed and sent the head of the Ministry of Natural Resources to Yuri Trutnev an idea of ​​the dismissal of his deputy Oleg Mitvol, Interfax reports. Recall that in early August Prime Minister Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the reduction in the number of deputy heads of Rosprirodnadzor from four to three.

The president announced on September 1 by the day of the unity of the people, and emphasized that on this day all together-representatives of all ethnic groups and all political forces, reports News-Georgia. “We are proud of our history, but most of all we are proud of today. Georgia is one more than ever. Together with Georgia, the whole civilized world. Our struggle for justice is the struggle between civilization and non -cyliation.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed the readiness of the European Union to provide Georgia, reports News-Georgia. “Georgia is expecting help from Europe, and we will provide this assistance, including financial,” Sarkozy said. In addition, today US Secretary of State Matthew Braise said that the United States would “continue Georgia for large -scale financial and political support,” Vesti TV channel reports.

Georgia admitted that its military used cassette bombs during a military operation in South Ossetia. This is stated in the letter from the Ministry of Defense of Georgia in Human Rights Watch. The Georgian military says that they used cassette bombs in the Rock Tunnel, which connects Northern and South Ossetia, AP reports. Tbilisi said that they used M85 cassette bombs. Israel used similar ammunition during the war with Hizballa in 2006.

As Polit.ru previously reported, on August 13, 2008, the General Director of Rosatom State Corporation Sergei Kiriyenko signed an order “On the organization of works on the construction of the Baltic nuclear power plant (Kaliningrad region)”. Contributed to the order by the customer - the developer of the Baltic NPP, was appointed OJSC "Concern" Energoatom "(former FSUE concern" Rosenergoatom ").

US presidential candidate Senator John McCain announced the abolition of most events appointed on the first day of the Republican Party Congress in the Minnesota. This is due to the approach to the coast of the United States Hurricane Gustav. McCain said that only the most necessary events will remain in the program. The total duration of the first day of the national congress of the Republicans will be only 2.5 hours.

Over the next 25 years, Italy will pay Libya $ 5 billion. Compensation for a 30-year occupation. Foreign Minister of Libya Abdel-Ramman Schalam said that construction investments, student grants, as well as pensions for the Libyans who worked for Italians during World War II will be included in the amount of compensation.

The well-known Russian political philosopher, Doctor of Philosophy (University of California, Berkeley), Vice-Rector for Development, Professor of the Faculty of Political Sciences and Sociology of the European University in St. Petersburg, Oleg Kharkhordin, responded to the Polit.ru River Poll. The following questions were asked the leading Russian scientist: “What thoughts and feelings are related to you from September 1, Happy Knowledge Day?

Ivan Krastev We continue to publish views on the events around the crisis in the Caucasus, emanating from very different positions. For a more accurate understanding of the text of the famous Bulgarian political scientist Ivan Krastev, it is important to keep in mind that it was written even before Russia recognizes the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Europe has entered the new 19th century.