In Brussels on Friday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke to an audience about the importance of not letting a crisis go to waste, emphasizing the opportunity to rebuild economies in a more environmentally friendly and less energy-intensive manner. She also expressed concern over Europe's reliance on Russian gas exports via Ukraine and condemned the use of energy as a political tool. Clinton encouraged young Europeans to see the global economic turmoil as a chance to positively impact climate change and energy security. With President Obama's new focus on tackling climate change, Europe sees the United States as a crucial ally in upcoming climate talks in Copenhagen. Europe has already outlined plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions significantly, while Obama has proposed a shift towards renewable energy and a cap and trade system for CO2 emissions. Many countries are facing a severe recession, leading to doubts about whether businesses can find the necessary funds to reduce carbon emissions. Clinton stated that the United States has not fulfilled its obligations and suggested that now is the time to take action. Some politicians believe that addressing the economic crisis, energy security, and climate change can be accomplished through a "New Green Deal," which would involve replacing high-carbon infrastructure with green alternatives and creating job opportunities. Clinton emphasized the need to address energy security and climate change simultaneously. She criticized the use of energy as a political weapon, reflecting concerns in Europe following disputes between Russia and Ukraine that affected EU supplies. Clinton expressed unease about using energy for intimidation, stating that it hinders the development of a more efficient energy system. She is scheduled to have dinner with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva to improve relations after a strained period during Bush's presidency. The recent reduction in Russian gas exports in January led to the shutdown of essential facilities in Eastern Europe and left many households without heating. A potential conflict between Ukraine and Russia was avoided on Thursday when Gazprom announced that Ukraine had resolved the payment issue that sparked the dispute. However, European leaders expressed concern over Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's threat to cut off gas supplies.