Pipelines 

Liberal government’s in Europe have pushed disastrous energy policy over the past few decades, this combined with Europe’s lack of energy resources(when compared to Russia, the United States, and the Middle East) has left the region energy starved. Now, Europe has several Russian pipelines running through the continent that deliver the energy needed to keep the continent running and Russia can turn them off at any time. Foolish energy policy from European leaders has given Russia untold power in the region.