There can be no stability and prosperity in the Russian empire, now called the Russian Federation, until Russia's government honestly and unequivocally decides finally to decolonise and allows plebiscites to determine which autonomous republics or regions want to remain part of the Russian Federation, and which would rather say goodbye.

ECONOMIST: Letters

Dagestan is one of seven small republics within the Russian Federation that together comprise Russia's North Caucasus region, a predominantly Muslim area which itself is wedged between the Caspian and Black Seas.

CNN: Boston bombing suspects: The Dagestan connection

We believe that the continued development and deployment of U.S. missile defense systems, including qualitative and quantitative improvements to such systems, do not and will not threaten the strategic balance with the Russian Federation, and have provided policy and technical explanations to Russia on why we believe that to be the case.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center for Security Policy | Mapping a National Security Failure: Ratification of the New START Treaty | Page: 14

President Medvedev has been dismissive of Mr Kudrin's criticism, insisting Russia "cannot avoid defence spending worthy of the Russian Federation, which is not some 'banana republic' but a very large country, a permanent member of the UN Security Council that possesses nuclear weapons".

BBC: Russia bleeds cash as investors pull out

In order for WTO rules and mechanisms to apply to our bilateral trade, the Obama Administration is working closely with the U.S. Congress to terminate, as soon as possible, application of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment with respect to Russia and extend Permanent Normal Trade Relations to the Russian Federation.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House

While they have allegedly received money from sympathizers and supporters in other countries, past Chechen terrorist attacks in Russia have almost always been planned and executed solely within the borders of the Russian Federation.

FORBES: The Putin Assassination Plot