The planned South Stream natural gas pipeline from Russia is a key element to energy security in Europe, Russia’s deputy foreign minister said. Members of the European Parliament in September passed a resolution calling on member states to cancel planned energy sector agreements with Russia, including the South Stream gas pipeline. Russia is facing pressure from Western powers frustrated with the Kremlin’s policies on lingering crises in Ukraine, a former Soviet republic that hosts most of the Russian gas deliveries for the European market. South Stream is touted by Russia as a way to add diversity to a gas transit network dependent on trilateral ties between Brussels, Kiev and Moscow. “Most of our partners understand that the South Stream is their guarantee of gas […]