Bulgaria is a key transit point where the South Stream comes ashore at Varna. Bulgaria has a dysfunctional relationship with Russia, a legacy of the Soviet empire, so it was not entirely surprising that after talking with US senators, Bulgarian prime minister Plamen Oresharski halted the pipeline's construction. He told reporters that "further proceedings" would be held after consultation with Brussels. Brussels wants the project frozen while it takes time to consider whether the project violates its competition regulations. President Putin is aware of rude western efforts to disrupt the contracts for the South Stream project. He calls the efforts "ordinary competitive struggle" because the US wants to supply Europe with liquified gas. The United States views the South Stream as a strategic liability since it encourages European dependence on Russian gas. Putin held talks with Austria's President Heinz Fischer in Vienna this week. Austria, which is the western terminus of the South Stream and possesses a triple A credit rating, defied the EU and gave final approval to the project's Austrian segment on Tuesday. Gooooooooooooooal!!!