On January 12, 2022, the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) said Russia was limiting its gas supplies to Europe at a moment of “heightened geopolitical tensions over Ukraine,” suggesting the Moscow was weaponizing its energy market dominance for geopolitical means. Fatih Birol, the IEA chief, argued that “Russia’s behavior” was a contributing factor to Europe’s energy crisis, which has led to increased gas prices and shortages. The Kremlin insists it is fulfilling its long-term gas supply contracts, but some European policymakers have asserted Moscow is intentionally worsening the continent’s energy challenges by limiting spot sales. Birol noted that Russian gas exports to Europe had decreased by 25 percent year-on-year in the final three months of 2021.