I think Germany allowing themselves to become reliant on Russian natural gas was due in small part to their lingering collective guilt. A way to show that they are integrating their economies, and that Germany "needs" Russia as a friend and not an enemy, thereby guaranteeing Germany will never again invade. Obviously the anti-nuclear sentiment was a huge part of it.
The plan has obviously backfired spectacularly, but I still think that the intention was there.
Russia has proven not to be a friend of the West so many times, which is an absolute shame. Think of how prosperous a New West could be with Russia on board. If a level of trust existed between EU and Russia like Canada and the USA have shared for 150 years, the world would be a better place.
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