Was he flexing his muscles or beating a retreat? Opinions are divided over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s surprise announcement to abandon Moscow’s 50 billion South Stream gas pipeline.
Some analysts viewed the unexpected December 1 decision to scrap the project to pump natural gas under the Black Sea to southern Europe as the Russian president again flexing the country’s energy muscle.
The move, those experts say, saw Putin taking Western nations to task for the cold diplomatic shoulder and host of economic sanctions they’ve inflicted on Russia since violence erupted in Ukraine.
“The decision will allow Russia to walk away with its head …read more
Source: Herald LIVE
