Russia sees any foreign project that touches the former Soviet Union, including the European Union's new eastern partnership, as a direct challenge.

ECONOMIST: Russia and Western clubs

Some would like the countries in the eastern partnership to choose between Russia and the EU, said Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, on the eve of the Prague meeting.

ECONOMIST: Russia and its near abroad

It will host a summit of the eastern partnership (EU countries and six neighbours), push for a free-trade deal with Ukraine and try to nudge more Balkan countries towards membership.

ECONOMIST: Charlemagne

But that investment was actually the investment in freedom and the related prosperity for 100 million people -- because today we are speaking about Eastern partnership, we are speaking about our cooperation that could help those nations and those people in the region that are waiting for their chance, their opportunity and their freedom.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama and Prime Minister Tusk Press Conference

Its size, meanwhile, is letting Couche-Tard get better supplier deals and set up more distribution centers, either wholly owned or in partnership with a convenience store wholesaler, such as Warren Buffett's McLane in the eastern U.S. The centers give Bouchard the ability to ship dairy products, sandwiches and pastries to stores two to three times a week to outflank the grocery chains.

FORBES: Companies, People, Ideas