* Russia will be guided by a principle of "reasonable sufficiency" in its response to U.S. missile shield plans in Central Europe, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Germany's Handelsblatt newspaper
* The Czech Republic agreed to start official talks with the U.S. on missile defense deployment on its territory, the country's prime minister, Mirek Topolanek, said
* Russian President Vladimir Putin urged further steps to improve relations with Latvia as he met with the visiting prime minister following the signing of a long-delayed border treaty by the two former Soviet allies
* President of Kosovo Fatmir Sejdiu on Wednesday supported Russia's proposal that representatives of an international contact group be sent to the province
* Iranian authorities said they are willing to release the only female among the UK naval personnel detained in the Persian Gulf last Friday
* The European Commission in 2007 will significantly cut financing of projects supplying equipment for Russian nuclear power plants, and instead will provide funding for training of NPP security personnel, national NPP operator Rosenergoatom said
* Russian Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref said leading truck manufacturer Kamaz [RTS: KMAZ] will be privatized by selling a 34.4% stake in the third quarter of 2008
* Kyrgyz leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev said he was ready to hold a vote of confidence referendum in his presidency by the end of the summer, but would not call early presidential elections, something demanded by the opposition
* Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said his country will strive for a good relationship with Russia despite recent bilateral problems but called its eastern neighbor a "monster"
* Azerbaijan intends to double its oil output by 2010 compared to the 32.3 million tons (237.4 million bbl) of crude produced in 2006, the Azeri minister of industry and energy said
* Rosneft is keen to buy almost all of Yukos' production units, the vice president for production of the state-run oil producer said
* Russia's technological watchdog (Rostekhnadzor) suspended work at two mines and 29 pits in West Siberia as part of checks following a methane explosion at a local mine, a local Rostekhnadzor official said
* Russia's environmental watchdog launched a probe into alleged environmental violations at the Sakhalin I hydrocarbon project off Russia's Pacific Coast, which is run by U.S. giant ExxonMobil, a Rosprirodnadzor deputy head said
