You bet Russia is weaponizing energy. Don't let it work.

In many ways, Western governments, especially in Europe, have only themselves to blame for the energy crisis they now find themselves in. They willingly abandoned domestic fossil-fuel production and nuclear power. This eco-posturing fuelled a growing dependence on Russian gas and oil, which then made Europe, and especially Germany, vulnerable to the whims of the Russian state. And, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Western powers’ decision to impose sanctions – to effectively weaponise trade – was always going to invite a counterpunch in kind from Moscow. They should have expected repercussions.

However, none of this diminishes the cynical cruelty of Russia’s decision. …

Russia is no stranger to weaponising its gas and oil supplies in this way, of course. As Ruth Deyermond, a lecturer in war studies at King’s College London, has pointed out, Russia increased gas prices for Georgia and Ukraine after both elected pro-Western governments in the 2000s. In 2007, it even cut oil and coal supplies to Estonia, after the Estonian government relocated a Second World War memorial to the Red Army.

In those cases, the Kremlin was using energy to wield power over what it sees as subordinate territories in its so-called sphere of influence. Today, it is attempting to use energy to coerce the whole of Europe into acquiescing to its will.

No one doubts the seriousness and complexity of the challenges now facing Europe, as the war in Ukraine grinds on and multiple crises raise its stakes ever higher. Yet to give up support for Ukrainian sovereignty in return for access to cheaper gas and oil would be a grave mistake. It would subordinate Europe to the will of the Kremlin. And, above all, it would betray the Ukrainian people.