1. Russia would get income from the pipeline, empowering their economy. 2. This sort of infrastructure would represent increased German dependence on Russia for their energy needs. 3. This would also tend to increase economic and diplomatic ties between Germany and Russia.
Destroying the pipeline (even if it's not being used) could theoretically send the message that these infrastructure projects are not safe and that relying on Russia for energy is strategically unwise.
No country in the EU thinks it's a good idea to buy gas from Russia and it's going to end broken pipes or not.
There's really nothing to gain for the US from blowing up the pipe that couldn't easily be accomplished via conversations.
North Stream 1 was a blackmail tool since June 2022, Russia manipulated EU gas prices by changing the volume, using supposed turbine failure as an excuse. Blowing up the pipe could be just a next move.
At the moment nobody has no illusion of economical feasibility of Russia already.
USA has been pissed off by this project from the start.
This is also a way to send a strong message to Putin.
I am pretty sure that all secret services and governments around the world are perfectly aware of the situation.
Only the press is playing the hypocrisy game, for some reason.
Alright, the internet is full of it, and many newspaper are not afraid of publishing clickbait bullshit, as long as it sells.
What's the risk? Since when is fake news illegal?
This is why I am surprised, why is it such a big deal?