Pavel Felgenhauer, an independent analyst in Moscow, says Russia wants concessions on issues such as missile defence and NATO enlargement.

ECONOMIST: No easy routes into Afghanistan

Pavel Felgenhauer, an independent military analyst who accurately predicted Russia's war with Georgia in August, says that Russia's troops are still poised for action.

ECONOMIST: Russia and its near abroad

"Russia needs a professional non-commissioned officer corps to train specialists who can really put these arms to effective use, " Pavel Felgenhauer, an independent military analyst, told AP.

BBC: Russia plans $650bn defence spend up to 2020