Britain's national security adviser has warned that Europe must be prepared for "real hardship" this winter to maintain economic pressure on Vladimir Putin. Jonathan Powell urged Ukraine's European allies to resist purchasing Russian gas in the coming months.
Warning over Russian gas advantage
Speaking at the Yalta European Strategy conference in Kyiv, Mr Powell said pressure on the Russian regime was working "and that means we have to keep the pressure up".
"It will require some real hardship and difficulties on our parts," he added, according to the BBC. "But we will have to swallow that and we have to keep the economic, military, political and diplomatic support going for Ukraine."
Mr Powell said Europe "cannot turn that into an advantage for Putin". Gas is one of Russia's biggest exports, helping to fund its war on Ukraine.
EU plan faltering amid shortages
The warning comes as the European Court of Auditors says the EU's plan to phase out Russian gas by January is "faltering" amid shortages sparked by the Iran war.
Europe has significantly reduced its reliance on Russian gas since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, some countries are more reluctant to do so. Currently, around 12% of EU gas imports are from Russia.
Sanctions showing effect
Mr Powell also played down fears of Russian escalation, saying it was "not a problem" but a "sign of success" that sanctions are having an effect. Kremlin officials have ramped up the rhetoric in recent weeks with a series of threats.
It is widely believed the warnings to Ukraine's allies — including Britain — are aimed at weakening Western support for Kyiv.
Mr Powell said there are "strong reasons for optimism" regarding Ukraine's future. However, he admitted Kyiv was facing some difficulties — including a shortage of Patriot air defence missiles which President Volodymyr Zelensky has pleaded for.
