* Russian President Vladimir Putin said he wanted the GLONASS global navigation satellite system ready before 2008
* Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov signed a resolution levying import duties on Ukrainian reinforcing strips for ferroconcrete construction at 21% of their customs value
* Russian Central Bank First Deputy Chairman Alexei Ulyukayev said inflation would not exceed 11% while GDP would grow by 6.4% in 2005
* A Russian source said Russia was expected to donate 50 armored personnel carriers (APCs) and two Mi-17 transport helicopters to Palestine
* Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has arrived in Iraq for a one-day routine visit ahead of Ukrainian peacekeepers' pullout
