DrZoidberg
Contributor
If I understand the Nordstream sabotage correctly, only Russia could have done this, only Russia has the incentive to do it, so therefore... it's Russia?
How about a bit of detail or are we just chumming the water?If I understand the Nordstream sabotage correctly, only Russia could have done this, only Russia has the incentive to do it, so therefore... it's Russia?
How about a bit of detail or are we just chumming the water?If I understand the Nordstream sabotage correctly, only Russia could have done this, only Russia has the incentive to do it, so therefore... it's Russia?
Agreed. Russia invaded Ukraine when Ukraine threatened its near monopoly of supplying gas to Europe.How about a bit of detail or are we just chumming the water?If I understand the Nordstream sabotage correctly, only Russia could have done this, only Russia has the incentive to do it, so therefore... it's Russia?
If there's any detail, that's more than I know. All EU countries have now dispatched warships to guard Nordstream.
Background. Russia wants to punish European countries for sending weapons to the Ukraine. Since 1990 Russia has made central Europe dependent on cheap Russian natural gas (and also oil). The Nordstream pipe made it easier and cheaper to get the Russian gas to Germany. To the point where Russia has a near monopoly on gas exports to Germany. Putins personal power is dependent on controlling Russian natural resources and selling those abroad. Putin then uses that money to pay off any opposition in Russia. Similar to how Gaddaffi managed to control Libya.
But in the last couple of years new gas deposits were found under Ukraine. That's why Russia attacked Ukraine. Since these new gas deposits threaten the Russian gas monopoly in Europe.
But Russia doesn't want to look like they're blackmailing Europe. So they instead come up with stupid excuses, like routine maintainance. And now sabotage. They could just turn off the tap. But then we'd know. Not like now, when it's just bloody obvious who is responsible
Well, there are probably a half dozen nations that could have done it. It is very peculiar that right-wing media in the US is suggesting the US (well Biden did it).
It is somewhat difficult to read Putin these days, but it feels like it is a message to the West, nothing you do with Ukraine will change your gas shortage this winter. In damaging the pipe, it feels like a small version of scorched Earth. If Putin did do it, Russia needs to fix their Putin problem and fast.
I think that Putin did it. There is a contingent in Russia that is pushing for Putler to make an honest attempt at a peace deal in order to rejoin the 21 century and restart selling gas to Europe. They want peace and cash. Putler was to save his ass. Dosn't really give a damn about Russians. This is Putler doing what Cortez did when his soldiers landed in the "new world";. Cortez burned his ships so that his soldiers couldn't retreat. This is Putler saying that there is no retreat for the Russians.Well, there are probably a half dozen nations that could have done it. It is very peculiar that right-wing media in the US is suggesting the US (well Biden did it).
It is somewhat difficult to read Putin these days, but it feels like it is a message to the West, nothing you do with Ukraine will change your gas shortage this winter. In damaging the pipe, it feels like a small version of scorched Earth. If Putin did do it, Russia needs to fix their Putin problem and fast.
So the incentive is to punish Germany and the EU? For what? Supplying arms and support to the Ukraine? Isn't the USA the biggest contributor to the Ukraine? And isn't the Nordstrom gas being sold a pretty big revenue stream for Putin?A country needs to have the means as well as incentive. Only Russia has an incentive.
So the incentive is to punish Germany and the EU? For what? Supplying arms and support to the Ukraine? Isn't the USA the biggest contributor to the Ukraine? And isn't the Nordstrom gas being sold a pretty big revenue stream for Putin?A country needs to have the means as well as incentive. Only Russia has an incentive.
While the US gains with Germany buying LNG from the US, I can't imagine the US being big enough dicks to pull a move like that to get them to buy our LNG.What Patooka said. Everyone has a motive.
Asked about a possible US motive, I’d posit that the EU, and Germany in particular, is dragging their feet in weaning themselves off Russian energy. Forced withdrawal could speed up the process.