The Kremlin stepped up its criticism of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Monday, shortly after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev accused the autocratic leader of creating ill-will between the two nations.

• October 5, 2010

Ukraine's nuclear power plant state operator Energoatom and Russia's Atomenergomash, controlled by the state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom, have reached an agreement to set up a consortium to launch local production of equipment for nuclear power plants.

• October 5, 2010

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is planning to visit Russia, Belarus and Iran to reinforce ties with some of his close allies.

• October 5, 2010

Latvia’s Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis is seeking a cooperation deal with an opposition party backed by the country’s large Russian-speaking minority in a bid to broaden his government’s support base after a strong election win.

• October 5, 2010

Bulgaria should be able to start exporting electricity to Turkey end of October, the energy ministers of the two countries agreed in Sofia.

• October 5, 2010

Turkey will continue to extend support to Kyrgyzstan, the Turkish foreign minister has said, adding that his country favored peace and prosperity prevailing in Kyrgyzstan and in Central Asia.

• October 4, 2010

As North Korea moves ahead with its plans for a father-son succession, China will maintain rock-solid ties with its erratic neighbour to ensure stability on the common border at all costs, experts say.

• October 4, 2010

Despite polls predicting that a pro-Russia party would win Latvia's weekend elections, the ruling government won a mandate to keep Latvia on the path of IMF-led austerity instead of renewed ties with Russia.

• October 4, 2010