As the situation in Kiev goes from bad to worse, with intensifying riots and growing casualties, the geopolitical struggle for influence between Russia and Western powers is also ratcheting up. The protests began in November when Russian-friendly President Yanukovych rejected an EU-sponsored trade agreement in favor of Russian support.

“Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Russia could deal only with ‘legitimate and effective authorities — a leadership which people are not wiping their feet on like a doormat.’” – Reuters

From and energy perspective, the concern is that spreading violence could lead to natural gas supply disruptions in Europe, like those that left millions shivering in the winter of 2005.