POLITICS

Two thirds of Russians are satisfied with President Vladimir Putin’s performance during the first year of his third presidential term and would be willing to vote for him again, according to a survey conducted by the VTsIOM state-run polling organization.

(Kommersant)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday there are no “closed issues” in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

(Rossiiskaya Gazeta)

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov on Monday talked up photo-sharing app Instagram as an effective way of solving pressing social issues in the North Caucasus republic.

(The Moscow Times)

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

The delivery of 30 Russian Sukhoi Superjet-100 aircraft to Indonesia was disrupted.

(Vedomosti)

The world’s largest aluminum-maker, RusAl, announced plans Monday to cut output by 7 percent this year amid oversupply and a drop in metal prices, a move that might provoke a wave of worker unrest in the regions.

(The Moscow Times, Kommersant)

OIL & GAS

Ukraine may start receiving natural gas not solely from Russia, but also from Europe as the Druzhba gas pipeline network could be put into reverse mode from next year.

(Vedomosti)

According to Ernst & Young, the tempo of shale gas production in the world is diminishing interest in investing in renewable sources of energy.

(Vedomosti)

DEFENSE

General of the Army Nikolai Makarov, dismissed last year as chief of the General Staff, has been appointed as an advisor to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

(Vedomosti)

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is on an official visit to Vietnam.

(Rossiiskaya Gazeta)

WORLD

Venezuelan authorities said on Tuesday that health of President Hugo Chavez, currently in a military hospital in Caracas, has deteriorated.

SOCIETY

Moscow State University gained a spot among the world's 50 top higher educational institutions, according to the Times Higher Education magazine's annual college ratings.

(The Moscow Times)

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