Russia is already taking the blame for the pain inflicted on European consumers - this just makes it explicit. The mask is off, and no more pretending to be a reliable provider.
Like bombing civilians, the initial effect of energy cutoff is terror, but then opinion stiffens against the bombers.
Putin has had his run at bullying the Europeans with his energy weapon, and driving up prices. He has shot his wad - nothing further to restrict.
He has cut the flow off - and natural gas spot prices dropped a bit in response. Both oil and gas prices on the spot market for European delivery are down solidly from their wartime peaks. The replacement for Russian oil, gas and coal imports is already well planned, fully funded and ahead of schedule. The uncertainty in minor now compared to back in March, or even June.
Bottom Line: The energy weapon not only failed to divide the West and force withdrawal of support to the Ukraine - it has backfired. European public opinion has so hardened against Russian aggression and bullying, that it is now politically impossible for European politicians to pull support from the Ukraine.
Russian gas revenues were throttled off, as the flow to Europe was throttled off. The bills that used to be paid with that revenue, will now have to paid with newly printed rubles instead.
Oil is the last gasp of Russian financial solvency, and all the players know it. So Russian oil revenue is the main target, and December 5th is D-Day.
After oil revenues collapse, comes the deluge.
Russia not taking the blame for sh*t.
The West/EU/Uk/US brought the economic pain upon themselves.
Stop using Putin and Russia as a scapegoat and catch-all for all the failures imposed and inflicted by the West/EU/Uk/US dumb ass foreign policy decisions, etc.
the country with the natural resources wins...
..unless you invade
so It’s gonna be all good and well for the US citizens to pay for more for shit too as we start exporting more and more gas to Europe?
Personally i think a couple really cold dark winters would do Europe some good
Its more of a suicide pact. Certainly the Putin fanbois will never admit that their cries of The Russian Economy is performing magnificently! Putin has discovered the key to enduring prosperity -- export vast quantities of natural resources in exchange for digital currencies that you can't spend because of economic sanctions! are delusional. But even if the EU really does conclude Gee, putting our economic existence in the hands of Putin was not was not a good idea. it will takes years, and wise leadership, to remedy the situation.
Even if the EU's leadership were to be injected with wisdom, there about 75-85 days before the first average frost in Berlin, 90 days for Paris. A late, mild, winter may doom Putin. I would be surprised if the EU maintain sanctions throughout a severe, long, winter, or even very deeply into it.