Russia today dampened hopes of a deal with Iran that would ease concerns about its suspected nuclear weapons programme, reminding Tehran that it must first freeze its domestic uranium enrichment.

Russian and Ukrainian officials aimed to resume negotiations tonight on resolving a price dispute that led to a cut-off of Ukraine’s natural gas supply, but Russia gave no indication it was in the mood for compromise.

EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs said today the EU executive was confident that Russia and Ukraine would solve a gas transit dispute that threatens Europe’s supply of natural gas.

Former Russian President Boris Yeltsin was in stable condition today following hip surgery, Russian news agencies quoted doctors as saying.

A court sentenced a police captain to seven years’ jail today for negligence in failing to prevent the bombings last year of two Russian passenger jets that killed 90 people aboard.