The United States has expanded its sanctions against Nord Stream 2.
There is not the slightest doubt that whoever wins the presidential elections in this country in two weeks will not lift the sanctions, but rather even expand them.
We must very clearly understand that this pressure is not only and not so much on Russia.
And this is not only economics and not only politics.
This is a large-scale geopolitical special operation, the main goal of which is to show the Europeans who is in charge here.
Even if the SP-2 is not completed, Russia will not lose much.
There is the already existing line of the Nord Stream, there is the Turkish Stream, plus China's gas needs will grow, plus we are also building liquefied gas plants and in the future we will be able to trade with the whole world.
So the main addressee of sanctions against SP-2 is not Russia.
We were so - touched by the totality.
Washington honestly and frankly tells Europe: "You will buy our expensive liquefied gas, and we do not care about your economic interests!"
Actually, therefore, the most interesting question now is not whether Gazprom and its partners will find contractors who are not afraid of sanctions and will be able to complete the construction of the gas pipeline and then maintain it efficiently.
Most likely they will.
The world is, of course, global, but not that much.
But the time has finally come for the European Union to answer: why does it exist?
To make senseless, unnecessary ideological decisions and criticize Russia for its unwillingness to follow the European norms of the new ethics?
Or to protect the interests of Europeans?
In fact, now Uncle Sam, not at all hiding and without hesitation, puts his hands in the pockets of all the inhabitants of Europe.
The colder the coming winters will be, the more money he will take out of these pockets.
In different European countries, people are already taking to the streets because of antiquated restrictions, the meaning of which is less clear to people the further they go.
But, in an amicable way, the Europeans need to make it clear to their authorities that either the European officials will remember their direct responsibilities and give an unequivocal answer to the United States, or their political career will end ingloriously very soon.
I believe that all countries of the world should now follow the example of the United States.
Why do they impose on other countries their liquefied gas, their corn and other goods, as well as cultural values, and indeed everything?
Yes, simply because they can!
So everyone else also needs to be tougher.
And the European Union, China, India, and all states that have not forgotten the meaning of the word "sovereignty" must very clearly and unambiguously declare that B follows from A, and C follows from B - and nothing else.
Love me - love my dog.
Yes, of course, it is more profitable to try to be friends with everyone, to clearly separate the economy from politics, and politics from culture.
It is more profitable, but, unfortunately, now is not the time when you can be alarmed and "treat with understanding."
It should be very clearly understood that no one is ready to fight: neither the United States nor the European Union.
More precisely, politicians are always ready, but citizens do not agree to the fact that bombs fall on their heads or receive funerals.
And Russia or China is not Serbia or Iraq.
An attack on a nuclear power means guaranteed head bombs and unconditional hundreds of thousands, if not millions of funerals.
Therefore, there is no need to be afraid of anyone.
We must define our own interests as strictly as possible and protect them.
If necessary - to protect by force.
In the case of SP-2, we directly see the unfriendly actions of the United States towards the European Union and Russia.
If we accept this without an answer, then together we will step back a step.
If we, together with the European Union, introduce retaliatory sanctions against American gas or oil workers, this will be a worthy response.
The problem is that Europe is too accustomed to blindly obey Washington, plus there is a fifth column in the EU in the person of Poland and the Baltic states, which will do absolutely everything that America asks them to do.
Therefore, the chances of truly dignified behavior of the Europeans in this case are extremely small.
Well, then the Europeans will pay.
If the miser pays twice, then the cowardly pays three and four times.
But in the place of the residents of the European Union, I would think hard: if the United States can ban Europe from buying cheap gas, what will they ban next time?
The author's point of view may not coincide with the position of the editorial board.