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Or have they been? "Unplugged" is a good metaphor, for they currently control the vast majority of energy to all of Europe[1]. We're turning Russia into a gigantic version of North Korea, and with the same major ally, China. What happens if Russia diverts its gas sales to China -- it's Europe that'll be unplugged.

1. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g5701h.ct003365/?r=0.025,0.336,...

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If China is the only available customer, how much do you think China will pay? They will have Russia by the balls. They will pay pennies on the Ruble.

Europe will piss and moan for a while as prices go up, but Europe is rich enough to route around this problem.

I agree though, we're turning Russia into a giant North Korea. What that means for the world, I don't know. In fact, I would say they're getting cut off worse than North Korea. Some of these companies canceling Russia probably operate (with permission) in North Korea.

Your reference is from 2008.

Certainly recent events have concentrated minds regarding energy security in Europe, and likely self sufficiency (or at least better sources) will be achieved, much as food security was after ww2.

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