It depends very much on how the situation ends, and how quickly. A simple return to status quo ante bellum seems implausible now. Russia becoming a hermit kin

It depends very much on how the situation ends, and how quickly. A simple return to status quo ante bellum seems implausible now. Russia becoming a hermit kingdom cut off from Western trade for a significant time seems a distinct possibility. Germany has already announced they plan to eliminate their dependence on fossil fuels for electricity by 2035 [1] and to increase imports from the USA until then. Europe was already moving away from fossil fuels for climate reasons. The war gives a security justification for accelerating that course even if it impacts quality of life, the economy, or even climate goals. [2] European energy independence just became a primary goal of unlikely to change even if the immediate tensions ease. Assuming this materializes and relations allow, the pipeline may end up mostly exporting via European ports. So you're right it'll probably get used one way or another, eventually. [1] https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/germany-aims-get-100-energy-renewable-sources-by-2035-2022-02-28/ https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/german... [2] https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/germany-step-up-plans-cut-dependence-russia-gas-2022-02-27/ https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/germany-step-up-plan...