The Russians and Putin have always believed Europe can never survive without Russian oil. ... Putin thinks if he wins in Ukraine, the Kremlin will be… - Andriy Kobolyev

However, shifting gas sales, for example, to Chinese markets is not possible. ... In the case of China, it might take 10 to 15 years to build the infrastructure. The existing pipeline to China is small and is not connected to the areas currently supplying Europe. To lose your biggest, most lucrative market, to lose 80% of your revenues, and become fully dependent on China, does not look like a very smart or strategic move. That does not look like a victory.

A lot of populist politicians began to use it as a tool to discredit reforms and to increase their rating in the year of double elections. ... Now I will give my salary and bonuses in equal proportions to three Ukrainian organizations – “Narodny tyl” supporting the families of the dead warriors, “Come back alive” supporting the army, [MIM] and “Tabletochky” to help children with cancer.

You can either be in Turkmenistan, where you have free gas but low salaries and no freedom, or you can be in the European Union-style, but then the gas will be priced to market value. Sorry.