Replies

the EU countries will be able to get along without Russia. They won’t collapse like a house of cards - that’s overstating it. But yes, their inputs will get a bit more expensive. Russia was the cheaper alternative to for example Middle Eastern oil, North American gas, South American metals, etc etc but an over reliance on Russia was always a point of vulnerability for them. Look no further than Germany for an example.

The easy ride for Europe when they could get away with cheap inputs and relying on America to provide their defense for them - so that they could throw money at socialist welfare state programs and Gaia worship at home - is over.

Now they will have to make some tough choices. They will have to cut back on the socialism and the Gaia worship if they are to remain competitive. It can easily be done, but they have to make up their minds to do it. Let’s see if they can muster the political will to grow up and start acting like responsible countries.

A good, balanced answer.

Just one point, don’t club all of Europe in the same basket when criticising about using Russian energy

But yes, their inputs will get a bit more expensive.
It can easily be done

You've mastered this understatement thing. What you seem to be missing is that these type of changes in energy and other products from Russia used in the supply chain can take years to change. This change is now coming almost overnight. There will be massive pain from shortages and inflation that will not go away for a decade. America is not immune to this ether, next year is going to be very painful for us as well, unless we change course. At this point, the EU and America should be negotiating with Russia. At the very least to by time to break these dependencies on Russia. But no, we're going to damage ourselves to the point where Russia can pretty much do what they want. Add China into the fray and we have to be the dumbest people in history.