Ukrainiana

After-Action Review: Condi Blasts Puttie Put on Gasmanship

Following the deal between Ukraine and Russia to end the gas dispute, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has criticized the Kremlin's role in geopolitical terms. An longtime authority on Russia, Rice deplored the lack of responsibility in Russia's hardline act at a time when this country assumes leadership of the G8.As long as oil and gas remain the lifeblood of Putin's matrix — perforated as it is with the Ukrainian pipelines — there's hope of a balance of power of sorts in Europe's energy equation. Keeping an eye on Russia and framing a hands-on energy policy provide the best deterrent to gasmanship.