The Kremlin has strenuously denied having anything to do with Europe's energy woes, but pundits believe the crisis has highlighted the economic bloc's unhealthy relations with Moscow. The EU presently imports up to 90 percent of its natural gas from outside of its borders, most of which comes from Russia. The overbearing reliance on Russia for gas has left the EU "vulnerable" and open to attack, with ministers warning against Russian hegemony in the European energy markets.

       This has been particularly evident in recent months with the price of natural gas rising by more than 600 percent this year.

       And despite flimsy promises that Russia would come to the EU's rescue, the state-owned Gazprom has decided not to allocate additional pipeline access for December.

       Many in Europe now live in fear of a full-blown crisis this winter, especially if the cold weather hits harder than usual.

       According to Mike Foster, CEO of the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), Russia's role in the unfolding drama has been plain for all to see.

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       But there is one silver lining: the UK's gas imports from Russia are marginal.

       The energy expert told Express.co.uk: "At the moment half of our gas comes from our own North Sea operations, so we're in quite a healthy position with that.

       "Then we have some good relations with Norway and a strong market with Norway, which is a safe neighbour to trade with.

       "But at the margin, we get gas from Russia and we know the games that they're playing geopolitically with gas supplies, and that's what's turning the screw on wholesale gas prices across the whole of Europe."

       Last month, members of the European Parliament and European Commission discussed the situation at a crunch meeting in Strasbourg.

       European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that Europe was in a "vulnerable" state, and admitted, "Europe today is too reliant on gas and too dependant on gas imports".

       That same day, German politicians said Vladimir Putin was playing a "poker game" with the bloc.

       Annalena Baerbock, co-chair of the German Green party, said Europe cannot be allowed to be "blackmailed" by Russia and has voiced her opposition to the much-criticised Nord Stream 2 project.

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       Experts believe Nord Stream 2 has been at the root of Russia's political games.

       The controversial pipeline, which was completed this September, runs directly from Russia and into Germany but its lenghty approval process has prevented Gazprom from turning the tap just yet.

       This has provoked the ire of Russia's President who told his countrymen Europe could solve its energy crisis by pushing through the approval.

       He said: "If the German regulator hands its clearance for supplies tomorrow, supplies of 17.5 billion cubic metres will start the day after tomorrow."

       Experts have warned months ago the Russian President would attempt to "weaponise" the pipeline to serve his political ambitions.

       Unfortunately for the Kremlin, German regulators have suspended the approval process and the pipeline will not see any use until next year.

       Russian officials, meanwhile, are banking on Germany sticking to its international obligations.

       Sergei Netschajew, the Russian ambassador to Germany, told Berliner Zeitung: "The project meets the interests of the German economy and the population. It guarantees energy security."