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Russia's vast energy and fuel reserves are jewel in the nation's crown - and one of its most powerful weapons in the campaign of interference in western Europe.

If Moscow was to turn off its gas pipelines, the power would go out across eastern Europe almost overnight.

Czech Republic, Slovakia, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia are close to being almost 100 percent dependent on Russian energy.

Nearly 30 percent of the fuel used to power homes in Germany comes from Moscow - even Italy would only last 15 days without access to Putin's power taps.

Relationships between the UK and the Kremlin have plummeted following Theresa May's claim that Russia used a chemical weapon to try and kill ex-spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.

But what effect would Moscow turning off the gas have on the UK?

(Image: PA)

How much gas does Russia export to Europe?

Dubbed an 'energy superpower' Russia is the largest energy provider in Europe and will continue to be until at least 2035 according to BP.

In fact it controls about 34% of Europe's energy market, according to Russian energy supplier Gazprom.

Through a network of pipelines which cross the continent and ports designed to export liquified natural gas (LNG) the Kremlin holds a lot of influence over even the UK's closest allies.

(Image: AFP)

Could we survive without Russian gas?

It is unlikely that Russia deciding to ban energy exports to the UK would see us struggle to keep our houses warm in the long-term.

But it could lead to some short term gas shortages and medium-term price increases as we look for LNG elsewhere.

Last winter, the UK secured 38 per cent of gas supplies from the North Sea, 42 per cent from Norway and 10 per cent from pipelines linked to continental Europe.

We are increasingly importing gas shipments from abroad, as the North Sea becomes less important, and this year that has meant an increase in the use of Russian LNG.

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But the gas Britain needs can also increasingly be bought from other countries like Indonesia or Australia.

Theresa May said yesterday the UK was "looking to other countries" for gas supply.

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When MP Stephen Crabb asked the Prime Minister whether she agreed that the UK should not provide a market for Russian gas, she replied: "Can I reassure [you] that when we are looking at our gas supplies? We are looking to other countries."

How likely are Russia to turn off the gas anyway?

Putin could order pipelines closed in order to make a point.

In 2005, 2007, and 2008 Moscow shut off gas supplies to Ukraine trying to bring the country to its knees.

(Image: REUTERS)

But in the long term Russia needs to sell the UK and Europe gas to keep its economy going - the dramatic drop in global oil prices saw its GDP shrink by 8%.

In fact Russia is so agitated by British moves to reduce its gas consumption that last year government sources slammed them as "politically motivated".

Did the Beast from the East make matters more difficult?

Yes - we are perhaps the most vulnerable we'll be in the next few weeks.

The sub-zero temperatures brought in by the Beast from the East did send gas supplies plummeting, leaving reserves much lower than expected.

Gas storage is at a seven-year low - aggravated by British Gas owner's Centrica deciding to close the UK's largest gas storage facility last year.

(Image: SWNS.com)

Analysts S&P Platts have warned that Russia my be the only option in the short term for European nations as other suppliers are already running at or near capacity.

But while a cold snap is predicted for the coming weekend, as we head into the summer supplies of LNQ from other countries could more than help the UK make up its shortage.

How is Russia's energy power changing?

Drastically, in fact the UK's lower levels of reliance on Putin's pipelines has been part of a concerted effort to reduce western reliance on Russian energy.

In fact Russia has been forced to strike a cut price deal to sell gas to China in order to keep cash flowing through the Kremlin's coffers.