Moscow theater hostage crisis

Russia and Ukraine made a progress in reaching an agreement on the gas supplies row, reports Reuters.

European leaders, however, said Moscow has to significantly increase its efforts to support the ceasefire agreement in eastern Ukraine.

The deal aims at re-opening Russian gas supplies to Ukraine ahead of the cold winter months.

"Serbia should harmonize policy with EU"

BRUSSELS -- The European Union in the framework of its sanctions against Russia urges partners in the world "not to go to the Russian market."

This is what a spokeswoman at the European Commission, Maja Kocijančič, told reporters on Friday.

European leaders expressed hope Friday of solving the bloody Ukraine conflict following "positive" talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, only for the Kremlin to berate them as out of touch with reality.

"Historical calendar" changed to accommodate Putin

MOSCOW -- Russian newspapers are reporting about Vladimir Putin's visit here noting that Serbia, for his sake, moved the date of the liberation anniversary celebration. ...

Exports and Russian investment could give a strong push to the Serbian economy, Russia's President Vladimir Putin said in a press conference with Serbian PM Aleksandar Vucic.

"We are ready to invest" in energy, machine building, railway and agriculture, Serbian B92 radio quoted Putin as telling reporters while in Belgrade on Thursday.

EP rapporteur expects Serbia to maintain pro-EU orientation

BONN -- EP rapporteur on Serbia David McAllister says the EU and NATO "do not look favorably on 4,500 Serbian troops saluting Vladimir Putin in Belgrade."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel held separate meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko late on Thursday.

Merkel's initiative on the sidelines the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Milan, hours before Putin and Poroshenko are expected to discuss the Ukraine crisis.

NOVI SAD - Novi Sad Mayor Milos Vucevic gave an honorary citizen award to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who paid an official visit to Serbia on Thursday.

Members of the Novi Sad city assembly decided to grant Putin the honorary citizen title at the meeting held on January 25, 2008, the release notes.

Photo Tanjug, Z. Zestic

BONN - European Parliament (EP) Rapporteur on Serbia David McAllister said that the EU and NATO do not look favorably upon 4,500 Serbian troops saluting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Belgrade, and that Brussels expects that Serbia will keep its pro-EU orientation regardless of Putin's visit.

BELGRADE - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the South Stream gas pipeline cannot be realized unilaterally, but that he truly believes that it is useful for European consumers.