By Anna Smolchenko, Agence France-Presse, France - Ukraine, wedged between the European Union (EU) and Russia, is determined to use its geographic location to full advantage as the stakes rise ever higher in the gas standoff with its mighty neighbor.

Although Ukraine is burdened by economic crisis and political turmoil, Russia simply cannot ignore the country’s position on key east-west energy supply routes and possession of unrivalled storage facilities, analysts said.