This removes a rallying call for increasingly extreme Russia-friendly parties in Europe. These parties (Italy and Hungary to name just two) are angling for fri

This removes a rallying call for increasingly extreme Russia-friendly parties in Europe. These parties (Italy and Hungary to name just two) are angling for friendlier relations with Russia, and name gas as one of the reasons. And over winter Russia will say "We want to help Europe. And we want to help their people. And we even have a pipelines full of gas waiting. But their political parties don't want us to help." And then Europe is full of far-left and far-right Russia-friendly political parties, Ukraine is part of Russia, Russia counts its oil money and continues its military expansion.