RUSSIA has halted plans to deploy missiles near the Polish border, a Russian news agency quoted the military as saying yesterday, in the clearest sign yet Moscow is seeking better ties with the new US administration.

RUSSIAN state television taunted Sweden with past military victories before last night’s 2-0 win.

President Vladimir Putin, meeting with EU leaders on Friday, will seek to advance Russia’s economic interests in Europe, defend its handling of foreign investors in its major oil and gas projects and deflect criticism of its heavy-handed response in a dispute with Georgia.

WHEN one of the plum prizes went on the block in Russia’s chaotic sell-off of former Soviet assets, the highest bid for a stake was $1 billion — but prosecutors say Mikhail Khodorkovsky snapped it up for just $210,000.

With the UN Security Council bracing for a showdown over Iraq, a top Russian diplomat said today that Moscow continues to oppose any attempt to legitimise war but hinted that it might back a compromise proposal to preserve its warm ties with the United States.