Today, Vladimir Putin might feel entitled to relax in terms of Russia’s energy exports.  In a case of neat timing, just as Ukraine’s frustration with the alleged iniquities of its gas deal with Russia reaches its highest possible pitch, the Prime Minister pressed a button jerking the Nord Stream pipeline into test launch action.  As the pipeline entirely bypasses traditional transit nation Ukraine, Gazprom’s customers in Germany and France will be assured that no matter what diplomatic skirmishes cloud Moscow’s relationships with its near neighbors, Russia will be a reliable exporter of gas.   The following news, however, from the New York Times, might dampen the Kremlin’s spirits somewhat:

The European Union executive Wednesday announced plans aimed at stopping countries in the bloc from striking bilateral deals that cede too much power to oil and gas exporters such as Russia.