Because the stakes are so high. Ultima ratio regnum.
It has nothing to do, ultimately, with Russia suffering so much as Russia potentially losing income they view as righfully theirs. I think the, or at least a, major reason behind the current shenanigans is the desire to control as much as possible of the energy supply to Western Europe. That has tangible benefits - crazy amounts of $$$ that might go in someone else's pockets otherwise. Russian leaders feel correctly they are in a position to do something about it, and so they have. This about the Russian elite, the Russian rulers, the common people be damned. Don't underestimate the role of national pride though - the wounded pride of the common Russian is strong enough to provide popular sanction for the activities of the ruler.Realpolitik really T's me off considering from what I've seen of it in the history I've read it almost never truly helps the common joe shmoe until after they've been dragged through the mud for long periods.
It may be extremely over idealistic but darnit until someone can show me even one example of how or why Russia is suffering from these small countries actually changing, other then in it's collective head(ohwoes me, remember the good old days)
Not only is money at stake, but controlling so much of the energy supply to Western Europe also means a lot of political influence can be exercised when needed over a lot of very rich countries. That never goes out of style.
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