As Nord Stream 2 deliveries replace those through Ukraine, Europe too loses its main lever against Russian military action. If Russian or Russian surrogate forces make a move, say, to create a land bridge connecting the separatist eastern Donbas region with Crimea, will Germany and Europe turn off Nord Stream 2 and plunge into recession? Or will European leaders beat their chests, issue diplomatic protests, recall ambassadors, and ratchet up sanctions while Putin pockets his latest territorial prizes, his flow of revenue secure?
