Kiev, Ukraine (CNN) -- Early this year Ukraine -- along with much of eastern Europe -- was caught in a deep and protracted cold snap. Many froze to death, energy demand spiked, and to top it all Russia accused Ukraine of stealing gas from transit pipes destined for western Europe for the second time in three years. Ukraine issued a firm denial, adding another blot to the two nations' fraught -- but highly dependent -- relationship. The fact remains that Ukraine needs Russian gas while Russia needs Ukraine's transit pipeline to export west. The spat came on the heels of a disastrous relationship meltdown in 2009, when for two nerve-wracking weeks Russia abruptly stopped pumping gas to Ukraine and Europe.
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Ukraine and Russia have long-standing feud over gas supply lines
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Ukraine is big importer of Russian gas, while Russia depends on Ukraine pipeline
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In recent years, Ukraine has tried to diversify its energy supply to reduce dependence
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Liquid gas imports, underground shale gas and green energy are among new sources
Only time will tell if these major energy reforms will change @placeholder's position in future negotiations and transform the horizon of Ukraine's economic future.