Here's an update on the gas talks in Brussels:
Russia says its dispute with Ukraine over gas supplies will not be resolved unless the European Union guarantees cash-strapped Kyiv pays up front for gas it wants from Russia this winter.
After three-way talks in Brussels that began on October 29 and dragged on into the night, Russian Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak said the sides have agreed on the "basic parameters" of documents setting out prices, volumes, and a mechanism for restructuring Ukraine's gas debt to Russia.
But he said Russia will not turn on the taps to Ukraine unless it is certain it will be paid for future deliveries.
"If there's money, there will be gas," Novak said.
Gazprom's chief said the talks would resume later today only if EU and Ukraine agree on a protocol guaranteeing payments.
"If such agreement is not reached, there will be no meetings or negotiations tomorrow [October 30] and no documents will be signed," Aleksei Miller said yesterday.
(TASS, Interfax, Reuters)
Some more Mistral info now, from RFE/RL's news desk:
French Finance Minister Michel Sapin said his country is not ready to hand over the first of two warships ordered by Russia because Moscow has not met the conditions to take ownership of the vessel.
Sapin told RTL radio on October 30 that "the conditions have not been met to deliver the Mistral."
The Mistral is a helicopter carrier, which Russia contracted to purchase from France in 2010.
Sapin said the main condition is visible improvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Sapin said, "On one level things are better" but there were "still concerns."
President Francois Hollande has said a September 5 cease-fire between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists must be "completely respected" before France delivers the ship.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on October 29 that Russia expected to receive the first Mistral on November 14.
(Reuters, AFP, Interfax)
Here is an English map of the military situation in eastern Ukraine today, as issued by Kyiv's National Security and Defense Council (click to enlarge):
