Earlier quoted context omitted.
Why would Russia damage it? They can just shut it off voluntarily on their side and use that for leverage.
> They can just shut it off voluntarily on their side and use that for leverage. The sanctions have conveniently carved out exceptions for settling energy, wheat, barley, and other commodity contracts, and it's these contract settlements that have prevented the Ruble's 50% collapse from becoming a 90% collapse. Starving the West of energy and food would definitely be a fun bargaining chip and/or tit-for-tat escalatio…
Russia sells gas in Europe for a profit. In China, not so much. Turning off the gas to Europe means turning off the majority of its income, it's not going to happen.