They wouldn't respond with a nuclear strike of their own. But they would respond.
Bathhouse Barry said the US is strong enough to take one or two nuclear hits without having to respond. A few million dead did not bother him. Now that we are on track to add 6.5 million people a year, its even more unconcerning to the Elite...
With what?
Germany is already buying Russian gas, as is Poland (via Germany).
How would NATO respond? I am not sure France wants to sacrifice Paris for the Ukraine.