======That's one way to increase dependency on Mr Putin's gas.======
USSR/Russia sells gas to Europe over 5 decades. European gas-distributing companies have HUGE profit from that deal. And at time of 5 decades this deal never been disrupted, not at time of "Cold war" not at post-USSR time. At past 2021 Russian state gas export monopoly GazProm sold 12% more gas to Europe than it has been contracted.
Only twice gas pumping was disrupted for 3 and 6 days. Guess when! When Ukraine was found to steal gas from pipeline in 2003 and 2008 years. But by German-Russian deal Germany pays for gas on Russia-Ukraine border but measures it on west Ukrainian border. So if Ukraine steals gas then counters show what Russia send less gas than has been paid.
And that is reason why Russia made North stream. It was far before pro-western presidents come to power in Ukraine. Pipelines has nothing mutual with politic - they have purpose to shorten distance from Russian North to Europe and to abrupt gas stealing.