EU must escape Russia's grip

IT IS too early to call it a new Cold War, but Moscow's determination to use its control of Russia's oil and gas industry for political leverage is a potential threat to Europe, which relies heavily on Russia for its energy requirements.

Few in the West realise that Russia is now the world's biggest exporter of fossil fuel. Coupled with skyrocketing energy prices, this gives Moscow an economic weapon far more useful than missiles or atomic bombs. Moscow has been quick to use this new...