The Economist on the EU's regulatory challenge to Gazprom:
It concludes:
Worries about dependence on Russian gas have in any case diminished. Not only is the winter over but Europe is generally in better shape to withstand a Russian tantrum. It has improved storage, and built north-south gas links, so that a cut in shipments across, say, Ukraine, can be made up with other supplies. Lithuania, once wholly dependent on Russian gas, has built a terminal to import liquefied natural gas (LNG), gaining a swift price cut from Gazprom. This year America will start LNG exports, creating yet more supply options.
For Mr Putin, the commission’s move underlines the scale of Russia’s isolation. Trust and patience have ebbed, even in Germany. His friends are fewer in number. By using energy as a weapon, he has prompted defence and counter-attack. The bear is not as feared as it was.
From our newsroom:
EU, Ukraine Officials Gather For Summit In Kyiv
EU leaders are preparing to convene for a summit with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Kyiv, with talks expected to focus on the status of the Minsk agreement, a deal signed in February for a cease-fire, and steps to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
The truce has led to a decrease in violence, but violations are reported routinely by Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists.
On April 26, the Ukrainian military reported a soldier had been killed and seven others wounded in rebel attacks.
Prospects for the implementation of the Minsk agreement's political provisions are clouded by disputes.
The EU-Ukraine summit is the first since an association agreement was signed last year after the ouster of Ukraine's pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych.
Leaders are also expected to address Poroshenko's request for European peacekeepers to help monitor the cease-fire, as well as the status of economic and political reforms in Ukraine.
An unnamed EU official told the AFP news agency on April 27 that Brussels had received the peacekeeping request from Kyiv.
"We are studying these proposals in detail," he said, but added that the EU saw "no reason" to replace observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) now monitoring the cease-fire.
In March, EU leaders agreed that economic sanctions imposed on Russia will stay in place until the Minsk agreement is fully implemented, effectively extending them to the end of the year if need be.
Russia denies backing the rebels, as Kyiv and the West charge.
The UN says the conflict in eastern Ukraine has killed more than 6,100 people since April 2014.
The EU official also told AFP that the Kyiv summit would focus on reforming Ukraine's economy.
Among other measures launched in recent months, Kyiv has introduced a new anticorruption body and passed laws to clean up its banks.
"The test is in the real implementation, the changes in real life for people" that the reforms bring, the official said.
He said the EU delegation would demand Ukraine finalize constitutional reforms this year, including agreements on the status of areas controlled by the pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters
That concludes our live-blogging of the Ukraine crisis for Sunday, April 26. Check back here tomorrow for more of our continuing coverage.
Let's end the day on something positive from Ukraine:
Ukrainian-Born Blavatnik Tops Britain Rich List
A "rich list" published annually by Britain's Sunday Times newspaper shows that Ukrainian-born billionaire Len Blavatnik has become the United Kingdom's wealthiest man.
Blavatnik, who climbed from No. 4 to No. 1 this year, was worth 13.17 billion pounds ($20 billion), the newspaper said.
Blavatnik, who is 57, has investments in music, industry, and media.
The Indian-born Hinduja brothers, Sri and Gopi, who headed the list last year, were placed No. 2 with 13 billion pounds ($19.7 billion). They have interests in industry and global finance.
The newspaper said new money was "flooding" into Britain, pushing Britons down the rich list.
Queen Elizabeth II increased her wealth by 10 million to 340 million pounds ($516 million), but dropped out of the country's richest 300 for the first time, it said.
Based on Reuters and AFP
Here is today's map of the security situation in eastern Ukraine, according to the National Security and Defense Council (CLICK TO ENLARGE):
