[Goose]

My understanding is that the pipeline was damaged by Russian drones so I think it is a bit much to ask Ukraine to expend resources to fix a pipeline that benefits its enemy.

Legally, I am sure that is true. In fact, due to the state of war between Russia and Ukraine, Ukraine could definitely justify shutting down the pipeline even if it was working perfectly. That said, the politics of the situation is fraught. Ukraine has attempted to solve the political problem by destroying the Russian pipeline before it enters Ukraine. That would arguably not be Ukraine's "fault", but just a part of the war.  Unfortunately that didn't wash. Ukraine was cajoled into not repearing such strikes.

Zelenskyy has said that he doesn’t want to do it but may not have a choice if European aid is conditioned upon it.

BC

It is actually more complex than that. The EU may not make that choice a formal requirement but instead just tell Zelenskyy privately that is de facto the case.

[Goose]

My understanding is that the pipeline was damaged by Russian drones so I think it is a bit much to ask Ukraine to expend resources to fix a pipeline that benefits its enemy.

Legally, I am sure that is true. In fact, due to the state of war between Russia and Ukraine, Ukraine could definitely justify shutting down the pipeline even if it was working perfectly. That said, the politics of the situation is fraught. Ukraine has attempted to solve the political problem by destroying the Russian pipeline before it enters Ukraine. That would arguably not be Ukraine's "fault", but just a part of the war.  Unfortunately that didn't wash. Ukraine was cajoled into not repearing such strikes.

Zelenskyy has said that he doesn’t want to do it but may not have a choice if European aid is conditioned upon it.

BC

It is actually more complex than that. The EU may not make that choice a formal requirement but instead just tell Zelenskyy privately that is de facto the case.