UPDATED YESTERDAY 20:42 PUBLISHED YESTERDAY 17:33

Putin visits the construction of Nord Stream, September 2010.

Vladimir Putin is using energy as a weapon - and it's not the first time.

In the cold winter of 2009, Russia choked off gas to Ukraine, and by extension to other Eastern European countries. All the warning signs pointed ahead to 2022, without the West taking Putin seriously.

Instead, the Russian leader emerged stronger from the gas crisis - and celebrated propaganda victories.