US just has money to throw away on more bureaucrats and more pointless missions. What on earth do we care about the Russian-Ukrainian transit issues? EU shoud care, and if they are not, then so be it. Yuschenko has just received a plum support from the best public relations US firm that money can buy. Is part of their election campaign to stir up the issue of gas in Europe? You bet it is. Why would Yuschenko miss such a golden opportunity to create chaos? Last one played out beautifully. Russia was protrayed as a bully, and poor Ukraine as a victim. Why not try it again? Again, somebody in US has some real money to set up such elaborate schemas just to get involved in influencing Ukainian presidential elections.

Well surprise, surprise, the birth of another US banking sponsored anti-Russian body. This time to continue the political medalling in the gas industry in Europe in attempt to disrupt the business. But the good thing, I think it will be as relevent as the 'world series' is, outside the US. But it will be interesting to see if the EU can show any independence from the Washington grip and sphere of influence. It will be a test for the new EU presidential team, to see if they are to be a political puppet of the US, or a free thinking body.

This is a good example where Russia needs to invest in PR. It was a Soros aligned consultancy firm and the transit pipeline company that President Yuchenko owns that cut off gas supplies to the EU. US objective is to disrupt Russian gas supplies to the EU to portray it as an unreliable energy supplier so they can promote the Nabucco alternative this has been the main objective of US foreign policy since 89.

This is stunningly blatant sign of desperation in the part of the United States!What this move suggests is that, unlike Russia, Europe is a not free do conduct its own affairs. As for Russia, it has nothing to worry about: it has the gas. The United States cannot give Europe anything useful in the energy sphere.

You are little late because a couple days ago, I have sent a comment , not publized on that subject concerning the prostitues ukrainians leaders. I also suggested that Russia impose warranties and cautions before sending any gas to Europe-Union states and Ukraine...If I don't pay my gas or electricity bill, I am cut off. When renting an appartment or buying a car I must give warranties and in some cases have co-signers (When having bad reputation) So why don't Russia ask ukrainian decisions' makers to have 3 billions € set aside to garanti the gas paiements. NATO and the USA (same thing) who steer problems in Ukraine can pay and co-sign. The ukrainian people could, also have the intelligence to kick out those bad leaders and choose some others who are neither pro or anti-russe or willing to bend over to NATO and US ' manipulations. By its geographic location Ukraine has a terrific future in front of her. It is up to its people not to miss it. Sincerely. Jean-Claude Meslin

Just put it down to lack of intelligence in america ,another reason,why India , china, russia,,africa,latin america(Those countries which are intelligent),and non western countries ,should form thier own defence and military alligences,just like nato,this will stop the western supermacy,or illusion of supermacy.as this is the 21st century ,and the west has to learn to accept it ,it is arrogance and ignorance which is the problem.in the west.

Sheesh, what are we going to do, sit in Yuschenko's office, sip tea, and read his press releases? I could do that a lot cheaper than any commission. Maybe I should apply for the job. I'm experienced in writing long, meaningless reports in bureaucrat-ese. I don't know much about how to run gas pipelines, but that does not seem to be a problem with this program and, hey, I'm a fast learner. We certainly won't be part of the crew of engineers looking at guages on the Russian side of the pipeline, will we? Or is the Russian government willing to babysit a bunch of foreign observers for the winter? (Maybe I can improve my conversational Russian at the same time. Sweet!)

I've observed with interest your discussion. But there occurred some misinterpretation of the facts. One of you has written: "It was (...) the transit pipeline company that President Yuchenko owns that cut off gas supplies to the EU" But the truth was: "I have no evidence that Ukraine took gas without permission," Andris Piebalgs - the EU's energy commissioner, 20 January 2009 in "Russia opens gas taps to Europe" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7839053.stm). So it was the Russia that started the whole game. What for? Please think about it. May be to promote the NS or to obtain the price increase in future negotiation with its trading partners about the renewal of long term gas supply contracts ? It is easy for some of you to judge the issue being far away from the countries that experience the problem of security of gas supply from Russia. Especially the countries of Central Europe where for historical reasons Russia is the only significant supllier. May be it is time you got to know more about the case from other sources instead of being misled by Russian interpretation of the facts. I don't want to critise you - but please better check the information you quote. May be the your conclusions will be different. And for a moment try to look at case from the point of view the countries of Central Europe. May be you will see then the gas issue in other perspective than only as a game between US and Russia.

@Chris The facts I mentioned did not come from Russian sources in fact the complaint I had is that we don't get any information or analysis from Russia. I don't see what Russia would have to gain from cutting gas supplies to EU as it is its main source of revenue. Even during Soviet times Russia continued flow of gas into Europe and during the Georgia conflict still supplied gas to Georgia. And remember it was Soros, CIA, MI6 and EU institutions that are usually aligned with Soros/MI6 the installed the Orange gang in Ukraine whose main thrust since the mid 70’s and after the fall of the USSR has been to get alternative oil and gas away from Russia. It was Ukraine that cut off gas supplies to Europe after Russia cut off supplies to Ukraine because it was paying well below market price for Russian gas that other countries in Europe pay and not paying outstanding gas it received from Gazprom. I see you're thinking that Russia would cut oil supplies to promote NS and SS pipeline routes by passing Eastern European states but they go directly to consumer states anyway like Germany and promote the idea that Russia is an unreliable energy supplier which strengthens US supported Nabucco.

Interesting, US is looking into Russia-EU gas agreements... Is there anything in the world that IS NOT of US business? I think this is the kind of attitude that will eventually bring the country (US) to the final and unrecoverable bankruptcy. The rest of the world will only benefit from it: countries and governments will be able to negotiate important issues without an annoying, counter productive and unnecessary meddler.

Its funny that people talk about Russia being unreliable energy supplier. Wasn't it Stalin who sent a train shipment, I think of coal, to Germany even after Operation Barbarossa commenced? The fact America is setting a commission in places it doesn't belong is really irritating. They will put their nose into everything. This has no effect on America what so ever. Their interests are denying profit and growth of competitive nations while supporting allied nations. In case of Ukraine, it is practically 2 nations with one border. Just imagine the political elite of Poland and Russia mixed together. Then add some Eastern European corruption and a lot of American interests. Now you have Ukraine's modern day situation. It is no wonder you have a Yushenko puppet of the American interest from the Political parties more of the Western sides of Ukraine. Anyone can read about the National Endowment for Democracy, George Soros, and the Color Revolutions. US meddles in every country's internal affairs and with bilateral relations of other nations. One country that has its particular pains is Iran. Now surrounded by US military in Afghanistan and Iraq, they are under scrutiny because American influence was ousted with the Shah during the Islamic Revolution. They were so humiliated that they played games of killing Iranian civilians like the passenger airline incident when the navy shot down the plane. The commander of that ship received accommodations for that. Now with the latest protests, even was stated by Bush that CIA has infiltrated and will begin operations and sure enough they did. They tried to push a Green Revolution there. This commission is likely in support of their failing Orange Revolution crew. The thing is they need to pay attention to their own failing state. America people are angry, suffering around 200,000 job losses each report that is released and having record home losses due to foreclosures.

But remember, the US is disrupting both sides, this has adverse affects on Germany, France .... which the US is keen to see limited in their economic capacity. The US always comes with fine words and evil deeds. It talks of energy security, but is trying to create energy insecurity for Europe to try to preserve economic dominance over Europe. Energy insecurity is bad for Russia and bad for Europe, hence why the US sponsors it!

Chris, I read your comment with interest. The crucial points is not how Russia, Ukraine, central Europe and Russia negotiate gas pricing, delivery and transit of gas but the fact the United States has no gas reserve, Russia has the largest known gas reservoir in the world and Russia is part of Europe and next door to Ukraine and central Europe. Is it possible that the United States, which has not end its occupation of Europe since the end of WII needs tension between Russia and Europe to ensure itself a prolonged “guardianship” of Europe long after the WII and the Cold War have ended?

This statement "Russia and the US don’t intend to fight over this, the US is not intent to dictate what is to happen in Europe” is so unconvincing. The USA directly intends to dictate exactly what goes down in Europe. When this imperialist nation eventually crumbles and goes home then maybe the correct balance of power in Europe will be restored. Meanwhile, little bankrupt nations like the Ukraine best STFU and work with the Russian Bear, not against it!