7 December: The border between South Ossetia and Russia was closed Tuesday following a grenade attack on the home of the breakaway region's prosecutor and a decision to throw out a court appeal by presidential hopeful Alla Dzhioyeva (Kommersant)

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.