... gas pipeline on hold increased the importance of Nord Stream – 2 as the only new natural gas transit route circumventing Ukraine. However, Nord Stream – 2 was also seen as an acceleratory tool to further liberalize Russian gas market harmonizing ... ... Turkish Stream as a leverage in its negotiations with the EC. Now competition between Nord Stream–2, Turkish Stream and even South Stream projects is reemerging and if the Nord Stream – 2 fails, the likelihood of the Turkish Stream becoming a reality ...
... the deal, again according to Ms. Mogherini:
"In the next five years we'll have to review our relations with Russia," and "at the moment Russia is not a partner (of the EU), but a strategic country and a neighbor, above all of Ukraine."5
This is, however, only a small part of the story and there are other angles to explore. Let us turn our attention to the trade partners of the EU now, and observe that while many European goods are not being exported to Russia anymore,...
... Berlin[13]. The three-party conference, a diplomatic turning point Among other topics, the meeting is centered on the discussion of issues concerning the gas price for Ukraine and its impending debt. The European Union might be trying to put obstacles to the South Stream project in order to grant concessions for Ukraine, most likely in view of its association with the EU. This is quite evidently a dangerous bargaining position. On one side South Stream aims to assure a steady provision of gas to the EU itself, which should have clear interests in this accomplishment,...
... tons in 2013 against 119.6 billion m3 in 2008), bypassing the latter.
Today the European Union is facing an unconventional choice. The first option is to “bury” the South Stream Project for the purpose of rendering political and economic support to Ukraine. The other option is to allow the South Stream Project be implemented, thereby avoiding such risks. At the same time, this scenario will significantly undermine the economic situation in Ukraine as well as strengthen Russia's position in the Balkans. Clouds began to gather over the South ...
