NordStream 2 has nothing whatsoever to do with any potential future conflict between Russia and the West, but it does turn Germany into a client state - especially during winter. Putin has made no secret of the fact he views everything in terms of realpolitik, and no secret of the fact he sees the West as an enemy with which Russia can never reconcile.

The USA's opposition to NS2 may be somewhat self-serving, but the German willingness to put a gun in the hands of the Russians and then say, "but hey, please don't pull the trigger, OK?" is nothing short of stupid. But it does show how a former Chancellor can leverage his old relationships in order to make a fortune selling out his country.