Modern Times Group, owner of the Nordic Viasat satellite TV services, has sold off its Russian pay TV businesses and other TV services influenced by Russian policy, for just $45.5 million. Russia rushed laws through its parliament for 2016 which ban foreign investors owning more than 20% in media outlets due to its paranoia over news reporting of the Ukraine crisis. Clearly MTG needed a long term fix for the fact that it had channels in Russia. The buyer is a subsidiary of Baring Vostok. Cynics may suggest this is a holding position until Russia becomes outward looking again, after which MTG will re-acquire the assets at a slightly higher price. UPC Romania, part of Liberty Global says it has…