WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- In what Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called "the greatest tragedy of the 20th century,” the Soviet Union peaceably imploded in 1991. Now the 15 new nations that emerged from the wreckage are forming bilateral relationships, many of which have two points of commonality -- a desire to avoid undue Russian influence and energy. Estonia and Kazakhstan, two former Soviet republics, are intent on deepening their economic ties in a number of fields, including energy.

RIGA, Latvia, July 9 (UPI) -- Valdis Zatlers has taken the helm as president of Latvia with a cloud of scandal hovering over him.