| That's totally imaginary. As if Putin, through Gazprom, could decide the price paid by the EU for its fossil fuels. Putin doesn't have to sell and the EU doesn't have to buy. Cheaper price for Serbia and Hungary? Well, those countries will be economically sanctioned. The EU can bankrupt both countries at will. Not that the EU wants to. But there is no love for Serbia in the rest of Europe. Ugly nationalists with blood on their hands. We used to like Djokovic. Even that isn't the case anymore. And Hungary just received notifications of the blocking of all EU money for their recent very undemocratic elections. If Putin thinks the EU will implode because of this blackmail, he lives in a imaginary world. The EU is like NATO: it arises to unity when challenged. Putin has made NATO stronger than ever. Now he's about to do succeed in doing the same for the EU. Well, Hungary will have to choose a side soon. Frankly, I'd be sad for the Hungarian people if they are expelled from the EU. But I like the idea of expelling undemocratic countries out of the EU. So Putin cut the pipelines. Well, that would trigger a recession in the EU. But no soldier from the EU is killed, because the Ukrainians are doing the fighting. So the public opinions won't withdraw their support to the Ukrainian cause. On the contrary, in my opinion, but that point is debatable. But a recession in the EU just when the USA's growth is decreasing sharply.... that would lead to recession in China too. I can't see the Chinese leader risking that this very year, because he needs to appear strong to be confirmed in a lifelong mandate in power. And Putin would take a huge risk by cutting the pipelines, e.g. the flow of euros when its war in Ukraine is not getting momentum, even after the change in strategy. Russian troops are doing better, for sure, but their territorial gains are super slow. We'll see. PS: my admiration to the Ukrainian people for its courage and fortitude. May the Russian people find the same courage and get rid of Putin. |