On Wednesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel European started her first speech as head of the new coalition government stressed that security and defense policy “needs to become more efficient, more visible and more effective.” 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday welcomed the release from a Russian prison of Kremlin critic and ex-oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

Former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky has said he does not intend to return to Russia until a USD 550 M lawsuit against him and Platon Lebedev is settled.