So what exactly is happening with those pipelines? It seems like it would be pretty easy for Ukraine to just shut them off - especially Druzhba - and while they might get some blowback there wouldn't be much will to actually punish them.

[–] Tuuktuuk@piefed.ee 1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

They wouldn't get punished. They have contracts with western companies and would need to pay heavy compensations for any disruptions. And those western companies would direct much of the compensations to the Russia. The result would be that the Russia would get its money for the oil without having to actually transport any oil. Paying the compensation you are contractually obliged to is not the same thing as getting a punishment. Ukraine would not get a punishment, but it would need to fulfil its contract.

However, on the Russian part of the oil pipe network, the contract is between the Russia and those western companies. It's the Russia's job to ensure the stable flow of oil. If waging a war causes the flow to stop, then, from the perspective of those contracts, the Russia is to blame. Ukraine is in no contractual relationship to any entity in the west regarding pipe segments located in the Russia. So, better let the oil flow through Ukraine once it reaches Ukraine's border, but make sure that it never does reach Ukraine in the first place :)