Europe has to use clean energy to fight back against the Kremlin’s hydrocarbon ‘blackmail’

The failure of political leaders to move away from fossil fuels has led us to such a vulnerable position, argues Harry Cockburn

Russia has decided to halt supplies of gas to Poland and Bulgaria (AP)

Every day, Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is magnifying the insanity of maintaining dependence on fossil fuels and the unpredictable markets on which they are bought and sold.

Russiahas halted supplies of gas to Poland and Bulgaria after they declined to use a loophole that allows "unfriendly" countries to pay for gas in euros, but is then converted to roubles for Russian collection.

The EU has said Russia is "blackmailing Europe" with threats to cut off supplies, while the White House has said Russia is "almost weaponising energy supplies".