With winter fast approaching and a stunning energy price surge pummeling Europe, Russian President Vladimir Putin chose an opportune moment to use his country’s leverage as an oil and gas superpower. On a chaotic day that saw European benchmark natural gas surge 40% in a few minutes, Putin eased prices by offering to help stabilize the situation. Russia could potentially export record volumes of the vital fuel to the continent this year, he said. Dutch and U.K. gas futures plunged more than 7% on his remarks after earlier hitting records, while U.S. prices for the fuel dropped 10%. But spot liquefied natural gas in Asia still soared to an all-time high. Quick certification of the controversial Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline would be one way to achieve this, according to Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. Nord Stream 2 lies completed under the Baltic Sea between Russia and Germany, […]