Will Europe have to ration energy if Russia cuts off gas supplies?

Supplies to five European countries were reduced last week and there are fears Moscow could go further, writes Ben Chapman

Europe is realising the cost of its dependence on Russian gas (Getty Images)

Vladimir Putin has begun reducing gas supplies to Europe, increasing the pressure on energy supplies.

European leaders and businesses fear that Russia will continue to exert its power over the continent as winter approaches, causing stocks to run low.

So are we in for a winter of blackouts and energy rationing?