I think there is a very direct link to energy independence & control of supply chains and freedom.

As much as I also hate political slogans, at least I'm not seeing a problem with this one given the context.

Europe is just now seeing the effect of being less free than it's population thought it was.

That wouldn't be your view if you were living in the Baltics. Trying to get away from Russian influence has been a persistent battle for the past 30 years. Sure, people are not happy about the rising prices but so far inflation news has been overshadowed by the war news. The public's support of Ukraine and a chance to see Russia finally weakened and no longer being a threat in the coming decades is seen very positively.

Not being under Russian occupation seems like freedom to me. Although that's mostly due to NATO membership not sanctions.

I like your comment, too bad it is no longer visible on comments to article, only when I see your comments history.

Thanks for the honesty. And Estonia had a cheaper gas when they were part of the USSR. Any actual freedoms they might or might not have back then are only _bs political slogans_.