It seems bizarre to me that this move by Russia is being seen as a diplomatic mistake.  By basically allowing supplies to Europe to wobble for a couple of days, they've sent a subtle but very clear message.  "You rely on us, and we can cause you serious problems at the flick of a switch".
Putin is an exceptionally astute politician, and what he understands particularly well is [political] power, and how to grab it.  He has forced Western Europe to take a stark look at the realities of their energy situation, which inevitably involves acknowledging the position of power in which Russia now sits.  What's more, he can blame it all on Ukraine.
I could not agree more! The message was intented for Ukraine but almost all European countries got affected and it's clearly deliberate. I'm just worried about what are Putin's real plans. It's like saying: "Respect Russia, we are still powerful, we could crush your economies!".
Exactly, bugmenot.

Look back at Yukos, Khodorkovsky,
Exxon.

Khodorkovsky, once the richest man in Russia, now doing hard labor.

The negotiation at the end of this gambit was between the EU/E3
and Russia.

Russia wil not allow the Ukraine to join NATO and purchase hardware from Lockheed and General Dynamics with subsidized Russian gas.  Not going to happen.

Eventually the Ukraine will be getting the blame for the EU's lack of gas.  The game has only just begun.  When it's all over the Ukraine will be joining the Shaghai Cooperative.

Exactly. The following statement says it all:
"Ukraine continues to steal gas...Gazprom will once again compensate its European consumers but it cannot continue eternally...," said Sergei Kupriyanov of state-run Gazprom.