I suspect that NATO’s fear is that Russia can simply turn off the gas. It is still winter, too...
That said, and perhaps someone can answer this: Is not France (by virtue of its nuclear power plants and expanded oil / gas from Libya) somewhat less dependent on Russian gas? France did sign on to at least one, if not more, of the Security Assurances when the Ukraine gave up its nukes. Perhaps France could act unilaterally to assist the Ukraine? Putin would be on pretty thin ice if he tried shutting down gas to Europe because of what the French were doing.
The question then might be, outside of “prestige”, “what’s in it for France?”
We’re talking about France’s socialist leader Hollande, right? He’d settle for a 20 year old Ukrainian hottie but that’s kind of a harsh thing to ask someone to do.
;>)
Don't discount prestige for prestige's sake. It is France we are talking about, the land of napoleons. Also, it is always good to sell energy if you have the capacity.
This being said I just saw this, -- no source nor comment. The blogger is a Jewish man of international mystery with hand on the pulse everywhere:
