These two writers Philipps and Reyes are on Putin’s payroll.
The meeting that didn’t have US diplomats is mis-characterized. That Euro group is run from an EU alphabet organization, with full support of the US.
Also, Germany has stated emphatically that it will not use Nord Stream 2 if Russia invades Ukraine. So, the leverage with that pipeline goes both ways.
Trump is correct that it was stupid for Germany to go along with the NS2 pipeline. But not working out the way genius Putin thought.
Russian leverage is diluted by the fact that 80% of the Russian economy is energy. They need the cash from energy as much as Germany needs energy. It goes both ways.
“These two writers Philipps and Reyes are on Putin’s payroll.”
Liar.
The Nord Stream2 has not been approved yet, so so far Germany is not using it. But Germany is using Nord Stream 1.
More news from Handelsblatt (German business paper):
Stoltenberg (NATO General Secretary) rules out NATO mission even in the event of an invasion
German federal electricity network agency: Approval of Nord Stream 2 probably not until June
Klingbeil (SPD [Social Democrats - the ruling party]): Arms deliveries to Ukraine would be a completely wrong signal +++
US is apparently preparing sanctions against major Russian banks +++ [PM] Johnson [UK] is considering sending soldiers and weapons +++