I’m not asking anyone to trust Putin’s word - that’d be foolish. I’m suggesting we speak a language Putin does understand. “We’re never opening up Nord Stream again” is nothing that he can work with; shrug shoulders and carry on with the war. “Stop X, or we shall bury Nord Stream forever; start doing Y, and we may reconsider the project” - that is something he might think about.
Putin is like Bibi, there’s no negotiating with liars and narcissists. Their word means nothing.
I’m not asking anyone to trust Putin’s word - that’d be foolish. I’m suggesting we speak a language Putin does understand. “We’re never opening up Nord Stream again” is nothing that he can work with; shrug shoulders and carry on with the war. “Stop X, or we shall bury Nord Stream forever; start doing Y, and we may reconsider the project” - that is something he might think about.