Re: Pay in rubles or have your gas shut off by April

To be honest, if European countries don't want to freeze to death then they inevitably have to obey the rules set by Putin. This step actually looks cruel but I see this is the last step from Putin to escape the sanctions imposed on Russia.

That's not true, the risks are not nearly as high as you present them, which is why the EU must impose a gas embargo on Russia. There's the statement that EU already has enough gas till the end of winter. Now it's getting warmer, so the matter of gas will become relevant from the next heating season, starting in October. It's half a year away from now, and Germany buys around 40% of gas from Russia (so more than half is already covered by other sources). Also, the US said it'll help EU (and US has quite a lot of gas). Not to mention that if the Western world acted more swiftly right now, they could make the war end sooner, and then they could work out new deals with the new Russian government, including gas deals.

this is good news, I hope that what they say is true, because what I see on the news today, that germany is experiencing an energy crisis and their gas reserves are running low. I know that western countries and the US will try to protect friendly countries, but how long will Putin endure this attack?

There are different, even opposing, analyses as regards Germany's fate should it decide to wean itself completely from Russia's gas and oil and even coal. But the numbers don't lie and that Germany is in fact heavily reliant on Russia with regard to these goods. This must be the reason why Germany was more careful in their steps when Russia started to invade Ukraine. But eventually it seemed Germany had to take that bold step. It is either they will remain hostage by Russia or they will contribute pressure for Putin to stop his madness. And Germany chose the latter. It is now their responsibility to urgently find alternatives.
Putin may do away with any timeline. He may send Russian troops to Ukraine no end regardless if they come home alive or not. But how long do Russians endure their leader's madness?

Discovering alternatives is not as easy as we say. Germany is dependent on Russia for its mineral resources and Russia is taking advantage of this weakness.

If Germany takes steps in favor of Ukraine and contributes pressure on Putin about shutting down his madness, then the arrogant mad Putin will hit Germany's weak point by cutting off its gas, oil, and coal supplies.

It is to be hoped that Germany will find an alternative.
But when? And how?