5 ms·
> How does blowing it up benefit them? Destroy the european economy by starving and freezing people to death, make everyone in europe turn against ukrainian su
by shapefrog 4y ago
> How does blowing it up benefit them?
Destroy the european economy by starving and freezing people to death, make everyone in europe turn against ukrainian supporting politicians and cut off any support for the ukraine government.
- snapcaster 4y agoBut they could have done that without blowing it up right? they control the source of the pipeline. So couldn't they have achieved this goal without taking the bargaining chip off the table and limiting their own flexibility?
- shapefrog 4y agoIt allows/invites a challenge from a weaker leader who suggests selling some gas to get some money. If there is no option and no flexibility there is no alternative, no challenger.
- snapcaster 4y agoGood thought, hadn't really been considering the internal politics angle of it
- shapefrog 4y agoAnd that goes for every player. Want to be Germany and not have someone outflank you and say 'lets take the cheap gas from russia' - take the gas off the table. Want to be India and still get half off your energy? Want to be the US and get to sell a ton of gas to europe?