“..referred to potential sanctions on the pipeline as “a victory for Putin” as it would divide Western allies, Axios added.”
Actually, the removal of sanctions is already dividing European nations (and this has been predicted).
France and some other EU nations want to build more nuclear power plants to ensure a reliable supply of clean electricity. These nations want the EU to certify nuclear power as a ‘green’ source of energy (important in the EU).
Germany is relying on a future with Russian natural gas to back up solar and wind power. Germany is trying to force the EU to scuttle nuclear power plants everywhere in Europe. Germany is the big dog in the EU and there’s a good chance the EU bureaucracy will bow down to Germany.
Agree, please see my post #5.