Russia could support additional U.N. Security Council sanctions against North Korea, but only if they are targeted specifically at halting North Korea's nuclear ambitions, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said Feb. 19, RIA Novosti reported.

Russia will send four additional warships to the Mediterranean for combat service, the Defense Ministry's press service announced Feb. 19, AFP and RIA Novosti reported.

According to the Armenian presidential election exit poll, current President Serzh Sarkisian received 58 percent of the votes, Armenia Today reported Feb. 18.

Gazprom board chairman Viktor Zubkov traveled to Qatar on Feb. 12 to mark the opening of Gazprom's office in the country, UPI reported.

Ukraine plans to begin importing natural gas from Europe, through Hungary and Slovakia, in the first quarter of 2013, Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Eduard Stavitski said Feb. 7, Interfax reported.

Syrian rebels have shot down a government military aircraft, unnamed rebel sources said, Russia's state-owned All-Russia TV reported Feb. 5.