As you mentioned, 40% of Europe's imported oil runs through Ukraine. Some of the most important pipelines lead to Slovakia, which in turn head to Germany, Austria, and Italy.
Ukraine is ethnically divided, as we all well know. With the Russians getting involved, the split is widened as the Russian-majority east generally supports the incursion, while the ethnic Ukrainian west opposes the Russians. If this situation is allowed to escalate, an all-out civil war could develop, which would certainly disrupt these valuable gas pipelines.
While it's certainly attractive to paint the attention on the U.S., this situation is very relevant to all of Europe, including Germany. In the end, everyone is happy with peace, but ignoring Ukraine at this time could be a fatal mistake.
As you mentioned, 40% of Europe's imported oil runs through Ukraine. Some of the most important pipelines lead to Slovakia, which in turn head to Germany, Austria, and Italy.
Ukraine is ethnically divided, as we all well know. With the Russians getting involved, the split is widened as the Russian-majority east generally supports the incursion, while the ethnic Ukrainian west opposes the Russians. If this situation is allowed to escalate, an all-out civil war could develop, which would certainly disrupt these valuable gas pipelines.
While it's certainly attractive to paint the attention on the U.S., this situation is very relevant to all of Europe, including Germany. In the end, everyone is happy with peace, but ignoring Ukraine at this time could be a fatal mistake.