A new natural gas scandal between Russia and Ukraine could have serious consequences. Like a tired Hollywood sequel, the prospect of another gas war in the New Year between Ukraine and Gazprom is even less appetising this time around. Ukraine's economy, estimated by the EBRD to have shrunk by a catastrophic 14 per cent this year, is hanging by a thread. Adding to the instability, the country is about to hold what could be its most fractious election since President Viktor Yushchenko beat his arch-rival, Viktor Yanukovych, in a highly-controversial two-round contest in late 2004. Read the rest of the article here.