> Why would Russia need to maintain leverage at that point? Wouldn't they be better off just selling the gas and taking the money? If Russia lost decisively in

> Why would Russia need to maintain leverage at that point? Wouldn't they be better off just selling the gas and taking the money? If Russia lost decisively in Ukraine, I don't think they'll turn the gas back on to Europe unless there's a regime change in Russia. Putin will be thrashing around doing whatever he can to make Europe suffer for their helping Ukraine. > If that happens, and the immediate conflict is resolved, what material reason is there for EU citizens to endure the cold? But would the conflict be resolved in the case where Russia takes more of Ukraine? I don't see how it could be considered resolved at that point. Even if (especially if?) Russia were to take over all of Ukraine and install a puppet regime the west will continue to isolate Russia.