Quick and firm

A day after adamantly refusing to become involved in the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on their gas spat, the EU has brokered a deal for independent monitoring of gas flows through Ukraine. That was a Russian demand, since they accused Ukraine of stealing gas meant for Europe.

It's also after the Czech Republic took over the EU presidency and demanded that the flow of gas resume within 24 hours or... something. That something seems to be the EU reversing course and taking part in the negotiations, a stunning display of firmness by the EU, towards themselves true, but still very, very firm. I thought they were just going to stamp their little feet very, very hard.