The changes have been motivated above all by the individual interests of Gazprom’s competitors - Novatek and Rosneft.

Berlin was delaying its support for the reform of the European emission trade system (‘backloading’) for a long time and blocked the EU car emissions law.

Russia, capitalising on Serbia’s dependence in the energy sector, forced Belgrade to accept unfavourable rules for the implementation of the investment.

Russia doesn't wish, by expressing excessive engagement and the taking on of a triumphalist tone, to emphasise now that Ukraine has taken this decision under pressure.

Kyiv’s decision should be seen not only in the context of increasing pressure from Russia, but mainly that of Ukraine’s domestic conditions.

The presidential inauguration ceremony has closed the process – ongoing since October 2012 – of transferring power from Mikheil Saakashvili and his party.

The prospect of lifting the visa requirement for Moldovan citizens by the end of 2014 is very important from the point of view of the ruling coalition in Moldova.

Washington and Brussels have deliberately raised the issue of German surplus at this time in order to influence the coalition talks in Germany.

Russia has used the construction launch to demonstrate that it will not relinquish at least partial implementation of the project.

Marmaray is another in a series of large-scale projects initiated by the ruling AKP to demonstrate how Turkey is undergoing a spectacular transformation.