Russia has made great strides on its path to economic rejuvenation this year and shows more confidence on the diplomatic front.

Russia's State Duma election ended earlier this month with 63.78 percent of 108 million registered voters casting their ballots for candidates representing 11 political parties.

As widely expected, United Russia, the party President Vladimir Putin backs, emerged victorious by bagging 64.3 percent of the votes, which gave it a 315-seat majority in the 450-seat lower house of parliament.