in the event of the situation with a european missile defense system becoming unfavorable to russia we reserve the right to take no further steps in the need for it is all momentary and. the kremlin has repeatedly demanded that nato guarantees that the european missile defense shield would pose no threat to russia's strategic interests sofa the west has refused to cooperate with moscow on the issue. intercontinental ballistic missiles are transported through smoke down the russian forests under the cover of darkness. the movements are shrouded in secrecy the people in shots need to perform training drills and test the hardware on the roof. suddenly the convoy comes to a halt there's a forest street blocking the path. crossing it's quite a challenge for the drivers of motor vehicles weighing many times. as specially considering of a carrying nuclear warheads. engine is make sure that the heavy launches safely reach the opposite bank with the most hazardous huddle behind it the convoy is on the move again. as the convoy forges ahead to its destination they leave the forest and pass throu

of more accessible sources many countries are turning to the north the us and canada the european union and russia all want their share and take and to sell is the arctic becoming the scene how the future breaks we're asking the secretary general of the european union arctic for steffan . with increases in technology and high oil prices arctic is becoming more attractive in terms of natural resources but the region's legal status is still in dispute and it should be determined before three fledged exploration begins one of the most oil rich areas in the arctic is going along the north of ridge scientists estimated has about ten billion tons of gas an oil a few years ago geologists proved its link to russian territory. was plain over the shelf on the same geological expedition they planted a russian flag on the sea. bad exactly. i was there for welcome to the show thank you very much for coming to our studio today and also in first of all from time to time as we read the news we get the impression that the arctic really seems to be becoming the next scene of the next great battle where states compe

people are expected to gather in central moscow for a thing elections rally as some of european observers praise russia's electoral progress following a last december's controversial poll join me in a few moments for all the latest on this. the opposition playing serious our electoral violations balin to bring people back to the streets to protest against the results. six pm in moscow i mattress or bring you our special election coverage here on r t right here is putin heading back to the kremlin with nearly all the votes now when they confirm a landslide victory for the new president elect but what happens next we'll go live to money or square with our correspondent alexei or ships be standing by just outside the kremlin walls so what is putin getting set up to do now a day after his win. there is very little time to celebrate for the idea that we can celebrate his achievement his victory in the very first round of the presidential vote in russia we understand that he is indeed gratian when he will be officially sworn in as russia's president will take place on may the seventh in two months from now unt

may conclude russia realists and so we read a european law enforcement agency in cannot russia. in the witness protection programs and. that we support the russian federation and get their low point. action. in a moment we are far away from. relocate witnesses from the russian federation country of the european union why serious are. we being law enforcement agency just who made. it they will open and standardize how many eyes screw the actual procedures around the world so this is so big news that witnesses from western europe can be relocated to russia to protection these reports are not true i mean if if. there is a p literally dreaming. country in the group and the russian federation bendis can become everything that reply think you think it may make sense because you see what the reason i'm asking it's very difficult to hide an afro american in the eskimo village so it is that it will be pretty hard to tell i have a french woman or an englishman in siberia well. so to relocate. from country to another country is always based on principles and standardized you see just. one

know that the administration believes it will also be in negotiations with iran along with the europeans, russiana in a few short months. the far smarter and sophisticated strategy, i think, is the obama plan because it allows for at least sanctions to work. it gives the prospect of negotiations, and it allows us to leave the threat of force on the table and to use it later at a time of our choosing when it's really necessary. >> mr. ambassador, simply put, will sanctions work against iran? i think everybody looks at cuba and said it doesn't work there. they look at other countries where we've done it. why will they work against iran? >> iran has been under sanctions of one kind or another for 30 years and hasn't made a wit of difference in trmz of their determination to approach the nuclear weapons threshold. in this case these are crippling sanctions on the central bank on their oil exports. we're essentially going for the economic jugular of iran, and the supreme leader there has said they are crippling sanctions. the worry i have is that our theory of the case may actually prove to be wrong.

it may conclude russia realizing so we need a european law enforcement agency and not russia. in the witness protection programs and. then we support the russian federation and get it open with action. and the moment we are far away from. relocate witnesses from the russian federation to a country of european union why serious. we have the rupee law enforcement agency just what we need. to pick a lot mental strength of eyes and harmonize. protection procedures around the world so so the news that witnesses from western europe can be relocated to russia to protection these reports are not true i mean if if. there is a. country in the rest of europe and the russian federation this can become replacing do you think it makes sense because you see what the reason i'm asking it's very difficult to hide an afro american in the eskimo village it is so it is it is a little bit creepy hour to try and frenchmen or an englishman in siberia well. so to relocate from. one country to another country is always based on principles and started. the sea just and one of the principle is that. one

may conclude russia realize i'm sorry the video european law enforcement agency and russia in between in the witness protection program same units that we support the russian federation in the article zero point was what action. in a normal we are far away from relocate witnesses from the russian federation to a country of the european union or vice versa. we have the ripping law enforcement agency just coordinate. their people opened into a standard and harmonize protection procedures around the world so some of the news that witnesses from western europe could be relocated to russia to protection these reports are not true that i mean. if if. there is a particularly grieving. country in western europe and the russian federation claims this can be time on appeal let's replace it do you think it makes sense because the reason i'm asking it's very difficult to hide an afro american in the eskimo village it is so so it is it will be pretty hard to write a frenchman or an englishman in siberia well. so to relocate. from country to another country is always based on principles and standar

still a lot of ballots to go through it will be interesting to see how putin performs in the european part of russia just as huge support as he does in the eastern regions where how it turns out we'll find out very shortly in the meantime back to you catherine. i get the impression of a lie from the central election commission headquarters looks like very few people there behind you although we do know the counting does continue in it so monday those final word results will be ratified in about ten to fifteen days' time some of let him drive also already congratulated him on his victory now ahead of him selection h.q. shall we dimitri go blank as a burning station for us tonight really. close in as a massive lead it appears i support is happy with the results so far well it seems well you've just been talking to scott who is the press secretary for and he said these results around standing around sixty five percent probably putin were beyond their expectations they expected and when the first round but not these kind of big results they are calling on a man beyond competition a political figure numb

now and is here with the latest sports and russia's preparations for the european championships seem to be going to plan for the most right summary or a solid two no win for them over denmark last night reaction from a pleased russian coach pick up a copy of suction from france a surprise win over germany but i'm all in the mind. hello there thanks for watching the sport and let's start look quickly at the headlines first blood anonymous go beat the nominees is the k h l playoffs get underway. while rushing the danes in copenhagen with a two no win as countries have for the european championships. but not least the panic and i call it still night the quarter finals of ask you both here in the. first ice hockey playoffs have got underway and anonymous go have claimed first but against now in the men's with a two one overtime win this the first game in their best in seven series in the western conference call the finals play to put hearts the opened the scoring for me there are two good alexander who called but it wasn't long before the sides were level from you know back here with the

friday the russian ruble was gaining against the dollar but was losing value against the european currency and russia's gals giant gazprom is expanding its partnership with european partners it plans an asset swap with germany's that just oil and gas producer went as far as helping a quarter has all the details. big oil deposit i'll miss the plot a lot for me in the north sea the developer of this field is german is a gas producer with his whole wish is planning an asset swap with russia's gas from weeds hole will get up to twenty five per cent share in some of russia's gas projects in the pit insular with options for fifty per cent while castro wire and. shares in the we just told all share a project like this one. which . is very interesting to. russia. to. actually also join. the two companies have been calling racing for decades they jointly build the north trail and now are intensifying efforts to construct the south stream routes they turn central real gas transports which distributes the russian gas in europe has just been made independence and renamed cascade in older to comply with the use thi

part of the united states the united kingdom the european union some countries in the european union and israel russia is the key country together with china but the key country to act as of but first as a break and even as a war against these global war of colonial drive that we see major western powers i think russia will continue advantage to the place the great probably deserves it were in the world scene which is to act as a world power which it always has been accepted was confused for a while of the ninety million east and secondly there has to be a balance that will help our lives global power so that as i say the world is not overrun as we are seeing i don't see five united states britain and the european union because that sounds rather childish but i insist by the global power elite embedded inside and they have to be stopped. for discussion about the results of a russia is a presidential election continues until you show spotlight scripturally. it's probably true that the the protest movement likely run out of steam. in that they didn't quite know how to take things forward. big problem of

of the united states the united kingdom the european union or some countries in the european union and israel russia is the key country together with enough but the key country to act as a buffer as a break even as a war against. global or a colonial drive the. major western powers and i think russia really couldn't see it in you. to the right only preserves in world in the world scene which is to act as a world power which it always has been acceptable confused for a while and i think the ladies and secondly there has to be a balance that will help our lives global power so that as i say the world is not overrun as we are seeing i don't see very united states and european unity because that sounds rather childish but i insist by the global power elite embedded inside these countries and they have to be stopped. well russia's efforts to maintain balance in world affairs as one of the strands of discussion are to make sure crosstalk. the u.s. is pushing very hard to try and use hard power to how the world needs its agenda whereas russia instead it's working with people with other countries and there

and big dreams european basketball champions russia are looking to upgrade from bronze in two thousand and eight it's a goal that the london summer games standing in the way as always will be the united states and australia. so football first delaware's says come moscow's a russian premier league title hopes hit a look at what's the size wall on saturday then it's lisc east side going down sunil to the railway men and hold their first defeat of twenty it's wealth now the fresh air have been mounting for the committee you boiron publication quotes you find the mets something he hadn't done since returning from russia last month the thirty year old told delivering the goods this time out the ball finding its way to the former top man to let rip ten minutes. which are also making its presence felt on thirty three minutes firing into the danger area where it could be because said oh does the rest sell too until the final score meaning third place looking at the now find themselves just one point behind says cup. while eight seats on have stretched their own beaten streak to three games. bu

rivals including the euro that i kates the greenback is low and it's high and i can see european cars say. russia is a gas giant gazprom offered ukraine a natural gas price discount of ten because cents to remind you the two countries are in heavy talks over the price formula for russia's gas exports a gas problem that reduced gas price by a tenth the sum of its a european part. and the deadline is over for those interested in getting a piece so most days the months he has if i add course tell us it turns out so i believe on company will support after all a modest russian investment holding its theme up here it is over time as judged by looking to get over five billion dollars for the airports but no one seems to be willing to dish out that much money. that's how the business world looks for this hour i'll be back later on the updates in staterooms all say the headlines are next to. get our selections to the story and it seems so you think you understand it and then you glimpse something else you hear or see some other part of it and realize that everything you thought you knew you don't. charge

and the olympic dreams european basketball champions russia are looking to upgrade from bronze in twothousand and eight to gold at the london summer games standing in the way as always will be the united states and australia. well first the word says come moskos title hopes it's a lock on which the side wall on saturday limits lisc east side going down through an els of the railway men at home and it's their first premier league city itself when it's well the pressure had been mounting for looking at c.v. new boiler room on public chantel to find the next something he hadn't done since returning from russia last month the thirty year old delivering the goods this time around the ball finding its way to the form itself and the man who let rip ten minutes and following good work from to be freeserve in state public shango also making his presence felt on thirty three minutes firing the ball into the danger area where if you leave it i said oh does the rest. just like that it's still a plan to score meeting third place looking at the map by themselves just one point behind says kumble sc

hearing that are things are running smoothly for the russia football team are just ahead of the european championships they kick off a in just under one hundred days time and russia were more than happy with their victory over denmark in a friendly last night we've reaction from the coach pick up the car a lighted man. get stuffed. hello there you're watching the sport here on r.t. and these are the headlines first blood tonight on also be in our moments does the cage old playoffs get under way. while russia taking the danes in copenhagen with a two no wages countries prepare for the european championships. but not thank you suzanne leaves the pundits and i called the still major quarter finals of basketball. but first i saw. got underway under normal moscow playing first blood against the now men's with a two one win in overtime missed the first game in the best of seven series in the western conference quarter finals played it was hard steve opened the scoring for men's golf the good work from alexander who called the boss along with all the teams were level for you know back here with

european monitors praised russia's electoral progress since december is a controversial vote but there is room for improvement according to the army of observers putin says all the rigging allegations must be investigated. and the opposition claims serious electoral violations and i want to bring people back to the streets and protest some activists and independent observers say irregularities are gathering in one of moscow's main squares. spotlight coming up stay with us here on our city. lead. player. oh yeah well welcome to spotlight the interview show on r.c.i. maldonado and today we're talking about the results of russia's presidential election day off to the voting the big picture is clear letterman's putin has been elected to new russian president taking almost six eight four percent and. the third is our very own likely to change as this is based on more than ninety nine percent of the ballots cast by the moment you're watching the show and head of the central election commission has already congratulated itself on the southern part of may i mean their graduation day will witne

after almost all of russia's east european neighbors joy nato the country turn to asia in search for allies as a result of the shanghai cooperation organization or. that she feels why the new international body united china hasn't stopped her just russia and used to stand was initially given the cold shoulder by the west things changed after obama became us president that was when nato started seeking the s e o's assistance and. normalizing the situation in afghanistan all of the c.e.o. countries face terrorism and drug trafficking threats from afghanistan and therefore widely interested in the region still does ation a relatively young ten year old organisation asio is still in search of its role for syrian security and economic goals despite its cooperation with nato many still see it as a counterbalance to the north atlantic alliance. hello welcome to the show thank you very much for for being with us thank you. first of all i would ask you the question that we started actually the question why why we wanted you here in the show so is a clear vision of the moscow. vision of the of

european monitors praised russia's electoral progress since december's controversial poll but say there's room for improvement according she will be army of observers letting her putin says all of the vote rigging allegations must be investigated. the opposition claims serious electoral violations i want to bring people back in the streets in protest activists and independent observers cited irregularities and plans to gather one of moscow's main square. next spotlight assesses what lies ahead as putin prepares for an unprecedented third term. well. silence technology innovation all the lives developments around russia we've got the future covered. how again a welcome to spotlight the interview show on r.c.i. maldonado and today we're talking about the results of russia's presidential election i think after the voting the big picture is clear let me who has been elected a new russian president taking almost sixty four percent of the the third is our very own likely to change as this is based on more than ninety nine percent of the ballots cast by the moment you're watching the show and he

euro area in two thousand and twelve we actually see a recession makes a difference to russia europe is the european union is a big partner for russia on trade. russia exports a big chunk of its oil to europe so demand in europe is very important it imports machineries and other goods from europe so a strong europe is very important for russia so the fact that the euro area is in recession means the external environment is more difficult for russia and that's one factor why we think that growth will ease somewhat this year compared to last year and russia and russia is more than a europe on the road so in london in the finance ministry is planning to for up to seven billion dollars do you think this is necessary given the revenue coming from oil. because the revenues from boils are clearly very important if the federal budget takes about half of its revenues these days from oil and that's a reflection of the high oil price so i think going forward it's going to be very important for russia to diversify its economy to make sure but also on the fiscal side allow the china of the revenues come from the

european monitors praise russia's electoral progress since december's controversial vote but there is room for improvement according to the army of observers putin says all of the roles were being allegations will be investigated. and the opposition claims serious election violations vowing to bring people back to the streets in protest activists and independent observers have cited irregularities and plans to gather in one of moscow's main square. up next peter labelling gas look at just how much current president next presidency will differ from his previous two terms stay with us. when welcome to cross talk i'm peter all about the return of lot of mere putin to the russian presidency how did the campaign change russian politics how will russia transform of the next sixty years and has a new dialogue started within society about the country's future. cross-talk a new period in russian politics i'm joined by john laughlin in paris used to rector of studies at the institute of democracy and cooperation in london we have mary to share scheme she is the chief editorial writer and a colu

and its european pull it says praise russia's. progress states to say. oh joy the greece of pull details of the picture of russia over the service. for pm in moscow i mattress or bring you our special election coverage here on r t putin heading back to the kremlin nearly all the votes counted and they confirm a landslide win for the prime minister for the next moves with live to manage square where sarah says he is standing by live for us so what's the premier getting up to the day after his win. well he's integration as russia's president will happen in two months from now on may seventh as far as we understand but certainly the important will become russia's president for the third time in twelve years and we understand that until then until he is integration until the day he will be officially sworn in as russia's president he also has a lot of work to do first of all he is planning a meeting with all of his presidential rivals invited every single one of them we understand that almost all of them will be there apart from the ninety's are going to the

russia. i chair the european affairs subcommittee on the foreign relations committee and we've been watching very closely what is happening in russia right now, the protests, reaction to putin's announcement that he would switch from being prime minister -- to be president again. and you talk in your january testimony about return to the presidency is resulting in more continuity than change. can you talk about how we view first of all the impact of demonstration on russia at what a change that might affect as we look at the changeover imprudence role there? >> well, i find this evolution very interesting. and again, this is another manifestation of the impact of social russian ali are finding those challenges and putting my free information flow via social media genie back in the bottle. and i often wonder whether mr. putin will be the day he decided to come back. he might've been better served while he was ahead. i think he comes from kind of the old school and i don't think the old order is going to work and russia. and i think when the thousands of people willing to turn out in a bitter,

that are here is that back has stalled and one of the main issues hampering progress on european security is one russia nato ties which would read a pointed out a very important and they are making progress but not enough he said doors are open for dialogue in terms of missile defense but time is running out basically the problem we've heard it time and time again is that russia needs written guarantees that any kind of expansion on missile defense in eastern europe or anywhere in europe for that matter needs to be on paper that it's not against russia just telling them that it's against iran no matter how well relations are going or how much trust there is it needs to be on paper and again this is something we've heard and once again president medvedev highlighted that a lot of experts here say that's not going to stop with pledging your boots and commute back into the kremlin in may another issue that was brought out was dealing with the most pressing international issues like syria like you wrong and how that plays into the power of the u.n. especially the united nations the u.n. security council wh

lot of you put his faces during his election campaign and the head of the european institute for democracy and cooperation. russia's december two thousand and eleven parliamentary elections took place amid serious accusations as usual protest wasn't long in coming as crowns flooded the streets of russian cities demanding fair elections and liberal reforms noticing the. peaceful many analysts praised them as a rise of civic activist the prime minister putin and his allies to put them skeptically but didn't reject them entirely responded to some of the protesters demands in seven detailed articles widely seen as electoral ninety passed over. to show thank you very much for being with us. i wanted to ask about the news of the nouns and. concerning. present regrets you made in. the that the prosecutor general should inquire into the case of an esteemed so mean that. he will be released from prison or what well that will be decided by the court so where i see you go but why was it announced on election day why now and is it somehow connected to to the campaign. to be quite honest as far as i am concerned as far as i und

of the they see him as a symbol of the fight against russia and russia and even continuing reports that were monitoring from the european press the idea that putin has with won the presidency is still popular russia is a foregone conclusion as far as the process is concerned whatever they're keeping a very close eye on the protest movements currently going on in moscow. all right pension if you from europe they're pretty sure the treasurer said look right well for a view on how russia's role on the global stage might change let's go live to california and speak to your prom about gordon hahn his expert in russians investing in foreign policy at the center first teaching and international studies i just want to make sure we have you there i don't see you yet i hope you can hear me there you are the american coverage has been largely critical that might be putting it lightly in fact with the media calling the polls raise even before they took place i know this right some officials and other experts are is being claimed is the most transparent russian elections ever with the unprecedented set up of where the cabs but cabs

resolution on syria but it must be a balanced one we do know in the past russia has use its veto two times to prevent u.s. and european resolutions on syria from going through because russia believes that it was not balanced for many reasons including the fact that it called for syrian president bashar al assad to step down now mr lavrov addressed security council members today they are discussing and reviewing the arab spring uprisings and also talking about the situation in syria according to russia's foreign minister he said that the international community at this point should not be bickering about who started the bloodshed in syria nearly a year ago all the focus should be and efforts should be about ensuring a ceasefire in syria as soon as possible and supporting syrian led inclusive dialogue a word inclusive is the one to underscore here because russia maintains the position that this whatever happens in syria should be decided by the syrians and that includes getting the opposition groups and the syrian government to the table to engage in dialogue and also to support efforts by the u.n. arab league envoy kof

while russia tame the danes in copenhagen with a two no when this country's prepare for the european championships. but not really suzanne lose the kind of the night cos this still made the quarter finals of basketball sure. but first i saw players have got under way and in our moscow have playing first blood against the now and i mean screw the two one overtime win this the first game in their best of seven series in the western conference quarter final thing to put hard ski in the school and for many staff the good work alexander crew called but it wasn't long before the teams were level from you know back there with the equaliser with the normal moscow to send the game into overtime and good of course the winner of the series continues in moscow on thursday night. while another game scarred me tears gone moscow for one instant pages there was a goal first unleashing of cora's death but all played out thrashed an armory good seventh rate last year region side got the better service style by singles go to nail. that such the thoughtful way russians preparations for the european cham

lot of reporters faces during his election campaign and the head of the european institute for democracy and corporation. russia's december two thousand and eleven parliamentary elections took place amid serious rolled accusations usual protest wasn't long in coming as crowds flooded the streets of russian cities demanding fair elections and liberal reforms noticing that the poll just one pointedly piece from many analysts praised them as a rise of civic promise to contain and his allies to give them skeptically but didn't reject them entirely which in responded to some of the protesters demands in seven detailed articles widely seen as electoral manifesto. welcome to the show thank you very much for being with us. i wanted to ask you about the latest news about the nouns and. concerning. the present mcgregor made an announcement that the cross in general should truth choir into the case of other crafts team so this third mean. he will be released from prison or not well that will be decided by the court somewhere so i see but why what was it announced on election day and why now and is it somehow connected to th

russia. the europeans are assertive, talking about cutting off the import of iranian oil. all of that may have an effect. anything regarding iran these days, if there is a bright spot, it is a dark red spot. the dark bright spot is they contend over and over again, though we do not believe them and should not believe them, that they do not have a weapons program and are not going to have a weapons program. they said it would be a sin to develop weapons. do i believe that? no. do i think that is important? yes. it is a face-saving way to come down if we can come up with some type of international enrichment centers that are under iaea cameras and control. that is the dark bright spot in a very difficult situation. >> secretary schulz? >> i wanted to add something on pakistan. bill and i, over the last six months, had 2 we will link the meetings, one with a group of former military and foreign minister types in india and pakistan, and then after that one with pakistani high officials and some high u.s. one. on the latter. -- one point on the latter. there was a session with

russia. the europeans are assertive, talking about cutting off the import of iranian oil. all of that may have an effect. anything regarding iran these days, if there is a bright spot, it is a dark red spot. the dark bright spot is they contend over and over again, though we do not believe them and should not believe them, that they do not have a weapons program and are not going to have a weapons program. they said it would be a sin to develop weapons. do i believe that? no. do i think that is important? yes. it is a face-saving way to come down if we can come up with some type of international enrichment centers that are under iaea cameras and control. that is the dark bright spot in a very difficult situation. >> secretary schulz? >> i wanted to add something on pakistan. bill and i, over the last six months, had 2 we will link the meetings, one with a group of former military and foreign minister types in india and pakistan, and then after that one with pakistani high officials and some high u.s. one. on the latter. -- one point on the latter. there was a session with

outgoing president dmitry medvedev president obama overheard asking for space on the european missile defense system, russia'songly opposes. >> later aides said mr. obama was recognizing given the political transition in russia and the presidential campaign in the united states, a break through on missile defense is unlikely. but mr. obama was unlikely to get negotiating space from republicans on missile defense, he hasn't delivered the upgrade to the nuclear arsenal he promised two years ago. north koreans plan to launch satellite and is thinly vailed missile test. at a speech, the president spoke directly to the north. >> there will be no rewards for provocations. those days are over. ththis is the choice before you. >> sunday mr. obama visited te militarizeed zone, called the heavily fortified boarder in the world. more than a million south korean troop and 28,000 u.s. service troops in the middle. later he said looking north across the border is looking in the past. >> it's like you are looking across 50 years. in to a councilmember tha count0 to 50 years of progress. >> on this day, chinese officials con

and they're ready to believe the fairy tales the prophet of tells them about russia being in the european union under his leadership and about hume increasing the salaries if only people agree voluntary to walk for six dollars a week so i'm not sure he has a real political future but in the short run yes maybe ok because we understand each about his motives or his him nothing. oh no the presidential election is a serious issue there's always room for some fun as you can see next. take a secret look at some unconventional moments owning stations cameras that were intended to monitor the voting process which. decides. senator john mccain has called for airstrikes a military campaign against syria the first u.s. lawmaker to do so a statement comes as international pressure on present ourselves increases new sanctions imposed on the regime. cross aid has reached in parts of the city of homs the civilians are caught between government forces and the armed opposition teams from russia is following developments for us. former presidential candidate john mccain has become the first senator to pub

a new report by a european watchdog group shows russia recently completed a 550-million-dollar deal tol assad's air force 36 yack 130s capable of ground attack. adding to his fleet of 29 jets. either can deliver a disseminating below to rebel positions if the government decided to use its air power. also, syria has at least 700 radar guided mobile antiaircraft guns and 160 more advanced missile systems. specifically designed by russia to counter u.s. air superiority fighters. a late report tonight says that russian special forces just arrived in syria via at mediterranean and began off loading their equipment. their mission is unclear. but the russian government has been unequivocal in the past that they stand by their ally. in jerusalem, leland vittert, fox news. >> bret: israel's defense minister says his country views the threat of a nuclear armed iran with greater urgency than the rest of the world. ehud barak told israeli lawmakers that iran's nuclear program is on the verge of becoming immune to disruptions from a possible military strike. the u.n.'s nuclear watchdog says it has

russia will join the wto anyway, and u.s. exporters will lose out to their chinese and european competitors. these competitors will expand their exports at our expense. russia pnt is a one-sided agreementan workers and businesses and requires them to give up nothing in return. unlike a free trade agreement, the u.s. states will not further open its market to russia. we will not tariffs or make any other changes to our trade laws. it's a one-way street. russia, on the other hand, will lower its tariffs, open its markets to u.s. service providers. gain access to u.s. telecommunicationses, banking, and other key markets. u.s. meat producers will secure the russia market including a generous civic beef quota of 60,000 metric tons. and the united states will get new tools for our toolbox to hold russia accountable to its obligations. these include binding legal enforcement and transparency measures. but in order for u.s. businesses and workers to benefit from russia joining the wto, congress must pass pntr and repeal the jackson vannic amendment. jackson vannic denies trade to communist countries

with russia on the placement of anti- missile defenses in eastern europe, after this year's november election. the missile defense system was first proposed by president george w. bush to protect european cities against iranian missiles. it was vigorously opposed by russia. so the first systems are currently scheduled for deployment in romania in 2014. and in poland in 2018. mr. obama says he will have more flexibility after the election this year. republicans were quick to seize on the flexibility comment. >> this is a president who is telling us one thing and doing something else and is planning on doing something even more frightening. >> governor romney went on to characterize russia as america's number-one geopolitical rival. a charge that threw re row joinedder from medvedev that, this is 2012, not the 1970s, the height of the cold war. congressional republicans are calling for a "urgent explanation" of mr. obama's comment to mr. medvedev. here's the exchange again. after my election i have more flexibility. >> question, mr. obama's -- or reset of u.s.-russian relations is his foreign policy priority. how much further is he likely to take that, that reset, in a second term? >> th

well that's true but i think russia has a huge internet audience numbers of people who go on the web is probably higher than in than in europe western european countries so that they are even if they're living you know miles away from the borders of russia they are over the internet through cyberspace to the rest of the world and i think there is a among this younger generation did you talk about the doesn't remember the disaster of the yeltsin years and that is only you know coming perhaps through the election for the first time in their lives there is a great sense that they want things to be changed they won't rush to be more like other countries they want to get rid of the corruption they want to get rid of the cynicism that they see in a lot of the rulers and i think that is why some of them may not vote at all because they're disgusted with the system and others may vote for anybody but put it just to register the fact that they want to change they want a different elite this one has had twelve years as you say in power maybe it's time for a different one ok but it's been a very successful twelve years to relatively speaking go ahead w

that is the standard used in germany, italy, russia and other european nations. mandated. >> minimum. >> minimum. >> austerity measures. it puts a new perspective on the european debt crisis, done it? when you think about that. that is austerity. >>> as we all go on vacation in our minds. wow. >>> thanks jess. >> i'm feeling better now. >>> our time is 5:35. coming up next we'll introduce you to the newly crowned mrs. dc. >>> plus, talk about a cookie monster and we are not talking about the warm and fuzzy kind. what is this world coming to? someone actually had the audacity to rob a girl scout. come on, people. achoo! nasal allergy symptoms like congestion, runny nose, itchy nose and sneezing can hit you year-round, indoors or out. prescription nasonex is clinically proven to help relieve nasal allergy symptoms any time of year. [ female announcer ] infections of the nose and throat and slow wound healing may occur. do not use nasonex until your nose has healed from any sore, surgery or injury. eye problems, including glaucoma or cataracts may occur. have regula

but still, despite troubles as deep and severe as its winters, russia's overall economic position is better than developed european on the verge of recession. russia just completed two back-to-back years of growth above 4%. its 6% unemployment rate is among the lowest on the continent. is a fraction of the hyper inflation that plagued the country in the '90s. with economic results like that, putin is expected to win back the presidency in weekend's election. many russians still praise him for leading them out of chaos that followed the break up of the soviet union, but some russians are not so sure. they want him to loosen up on the reigns of power. while challenges are likely to lead to a russian spring, the long-term outlook is less certain. >> i have very real concerns about what happens. maybe not three years out, but five to ten years out or if the price of oil drops below 100 bucks a barrel. >> foreign currency keeps pouring into russia. it last reported a $24 billion trade service. a country that sports a third of all europe's billionaires has yet to find a way to offer basic services to millions of its peo