> You cannot be serious. Why would Russia blow up their own pipeline instead of just saying "no"? because it denies the non hardline faction inside the russian

> You cannot be serious. Why would Russia blow up their own pipeline instead of just saying "no"? because it denies the non hardline faction inside the russian political sphere the option of negotiating with the west. This further solidifies putin's position. Blowing up the pipeline made sure the war in ukraine had to continue, because stoppping the war will not result in the resumption of gas trade with the west.