Ariel Cohen: Minimizing the Kremlin’s influence on Europe
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R), accompanied by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (L) and Kremlin chief of staff Sergei Ivanov, walks after delivering his annual state of the nation address at the Kremlin in Moscow on Dec. 3.
Ukraine can play a key role in Europe's effort to decrease dependence on Russia's natural gas. Europe's over-weaning dependence on Russian energy is the focus of my new Atlantic Council study: Developing a Western Energy Strategy for the Black Sea Region and Beyond. Gazprom's - and Moscow's - energy clout has become a recognized challenge for Ukraine's and Europe's energy security, especially in East and Southeast Europe.