Ethnic violence has swept through Kyrgyzstan, and an article in Der Spiegel suggests that the country could follow the path of other former Soviet satellites, abandoning plans for a democratic system of government.

• June 23, 2010

It may be too early to bet on China's continued role as premier resource buyer, even though Beijing's weekend decision to revisit its pre-crisis currency policy promises to bolster the yuan's purchasing power over time.

• June 23, 2010

Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama will try to jump-start economic links this week as Russia’s president travels to Silicon Valley and Washington, building on improved political ties after the U.S. “reset” relations

• June 23, 2010

The president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, today halted the flow of Russian gas across his territory to Europe and lambasted Moscow for suggesting that he had tried to pay his country's gas bill using "pies, butter and cheese".

• June 23, 2010

Ukraine can transport more Russian natural gas bound for European costumers if a gas row with Belarus causes supply disruptions, the state energy company said.

• June 23, 2010

RIA Novosti reported that Russia gas monopoly Gazprom is likely to replace Bulgaria with Romania in the South Stream pipeline network since Bulgaria halted the other two joint energy projects with Russia.

• June 22, 2010

Violence in Kyrgyzstan has dealt a blow to the nation's trade with China, and international analysts say the crisis could pose a threat to northwestern China's security.

• June 22, 2010

Japan sets ambitious new targets to rein in its national debt, the largest in the industrialised world, and avoid a "Greek-style" crisis.

• June 22, 2010