The Russian Federation has agreed to support ratification of the Kyoto agreement that was brought to life on December 11th, 1997 and has to be agreed upon by 55 countries, good for 55% of the carbon dioxide emmissions by industrial countries before it can take full effect.
After the USA decided in 2001 not to sign and comply with the agreement, it became quite hard to reach the treshold of 55% without support of the Russians. Today they have agreed to bring the agreement to the Duma (Russian parliament). There is not yet a set date, but their interest in ratifying the Kyoto Protocol is a major step forward towards a healthier environment for everyone.
In short, based on the UNFCCC in 1992, at the Conference of the Parties in 1997, over 160 nations agreed to agreed to limit their greenhouse gas emissions, relative to the levels emitted in 1990.
Links : Russia a Step Closer to Ratifying Kyoto says WWF - Kyoto Protocol Status of Ratification (PDF format) - Kyoto Protocol Thermometer