Russia-EU Pact on Ukraine Gas Infrastructure?

STRATFOR reports that an agreement has been struck between the European Union and Russia on how to run Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

The article entitled "Russia Includes Europeans in Ukraine Energy Pact,'  suggests that in order to make the Europeans feel more confident in Russia’s energy supplies, Moscow decided it would strike a deal with Brussels and not Kiev, on the Ukrainian system

An EU delegation was in Kiev at the time of talks held by the respective Russian and Ukrainian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin and Mykola Azarov.

The purported agreement, was not disclosed to the media in press briefings.

STRATFOR suggests that this move accomplishes three things for Moscow. First, it assures the Europeans that though Ukraine is back in the Russian fold, Russia still has the incentive to involve the Europeans in energy matters concerning Ukraine. Second, it keeps any European discussion of Ukraine’s energy system between Moscow and Brussels instead of involving Kiev. Third, it reminds Kiev that from now on, the future of its energy transit system and any negotiations regarding the infrastructure will depend on Moscow.

Source: STRATFOR