The Kremlin’s own reliance on gas revenues, however, is unmistakable. Last year, Gazprom provided no less than 20 per cent of Russia’s entire central budget – about $90?billion (£60?billion). Just as Europe needs Russia to supply its gas, so the Kremlin relies on us to buy it. Put bluntly, we need each other and the balance of advantage may not be entirely with Russia. If the Kremlin ever decided to sever gas supplies to Europe for a sustained period, national bankruptcy would surely follow.