Ministers from G7 nations met in Rome yesterday to discuss energy security and how to shrug off dependence on “single powers”.

The thinly veiled reference to Russia comes as its President Vladimir Putin hinted he may turn off the gas taps to Ukraine as a result of ongoing tensions between the neighbouring countries.

Attending the summit between France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the US, Canada and UK which continues today, Energy Secretary Ed Davey hinted Russia must not be allowed to turn its vast gas reserves – which are a third of European supplies – into a “weapon”.

He said: “My discussions with my G7 colleagues have made it clear that we stand together in our resolve to strengthen our energy security and ensure no single power can use control of energy supplies as a weapon in the future.”

The Energy Secretary added: “Every energy minister in the G7 is here, united in our plans for a long-term project to achieve strong, lasting energy security in our own countries and among our friends and allies.”

Last month, Mr Davey warned against dismissing energy threats from Vladimir Putin.