The past week has seen two dynamic moves by Gazprom, Russia’s state-owned energy company.

First, there were the provocative comments by former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, head of a Gazprom-led operation to build a gas pipeline under the Baltic, that the European Union has “no reliable alternative to Russia” for its energy needs. Schröder’s comment comes just as European leaders are discussing the Continent’s need for diversifying its energy suppliers.

Second, Gazprom decided to invest a whopping $3 billion to strengthen its presence in the South American nation of Bolivia. This move shows the changing dynamics of the energy sector in the world. Just as Western investment in energy and minerals is being driven out of the country, Russia has been allowed to slot right in. As the Observer noted “[G]as-rich countries such as Russia are using the clout that high energy prices have given them to plant their flags in parts of the world that would have been off limits only a few years ago” (June 25). Who can doubt that the balance of power in energy politics is shifting, and that Russia has assumed a central role?

Certainly, Russia holds an influential position in global energy politics. But Schröder’s comment inferring that Europe is at the mercy of Russia for its energy supply lacks insight into the history of the Continent. It was designed to caution Europe’s leaders against standing up to Russia, and to encourage them to simply rely on Moscow as a stable energy partner. Instead, it will have the opposite effect.

As Moscow lords its energy card over Europe, the Continent has two options. It can become a slave to Moscow, or it can seek to match Russian power and influence. History and Bible prophecy tell us Europe will not allow itself to be rolled over. Russia’s audacity will only provoke a bolder, stronger, more united Europe. Read about this trend, which the Trumpet identified more than two years ago, in our article “Russia Frightens Europe and Fulfills Bible Prophecy.”