If an all-out war happened.....I think China, Russia, North Korea, The Middle East and India....would defeat everyone else in the world. Africa, Canada, Latin America, Europe and America and Israel and Japan and Australia and ET has no chance.
I feel it's any of the Middle East countries. They are the only countries that stand to gain if either Europe or Russia or both countries are weakened. The natural gas pipeline is a lifeline for Russia's economy and Europe's energy needs thus also Europe's economical survival. The Middle East is always in direct competition against Europe and Russia especially when Russia is a direct competitor in the oil business. The confusion amidst this Russia and Ukraine/European war provides the perfect cover for it to do some sabotage to weak their competitor and their enemy since the Crusades especially since the United States is also closely tied to Europe economically and financially, weakening Europe would also have the side benefit of affecting the USA as well. Three birds one stone and no suspicion on them since everybody will be suspecting either Russia or USA, why not? If you really look at it, none of the other countries would have any incentive in sabotaging these natural gas lines because they all have very close at least economic ties, being big trade partners of each other.
No, I know the Middle East pretty well, they are desert people since their existence, no resources and great game thinking, surrounded by sands. And they got weapons from the Russians, not going to war with the seller. Perhaps I can make Israelis an exception, but at what price? And the Baltic sea is surrounded by NATO countries, who would take such risk getting caught?
You don't seem to know Russian history at all. If you'd live in the Baltics or Finland you'd hear about Russian warplanes, sometimes nuclear bombers (supposedly unarmed) deliberately flying into the countries' airspace in order to provoke a response. Threats of invasion have been made in the Russian Duma long before Ukraine happened to other countries, often credible threats. The response of Germany, France was always to do nothing but talk with Russia, admirable approach but shows they don't understand Russia or have other priorities. Talking with the likes of Putin is cheap and in Russian culture if you want dialogue then you're just a weakling waiting to be beat up. The "monsters" @terr is talking about are very real and the only thing keeping it under control right now is NATO and its key countries. It's of course easy to sit in Switzerland and talk about neutrality since you're far from the actual crisis.
Who is cornering Russia? Putin needs to create his own exit strategy, not this all-in bullcrap. In your world the only way to deal with Russia is to just give in immediately because "Russ got nukes". So I suppose if Russians demand Alaska for themselves as they have done before, US should just hand it to them because "Russ got nukes"?
The fun part is, that Russia could have gone on with this indefinitely. Demanding this or that, getting a seat on the table for this or that, getting some favorable business deals for this and that, etc. etc. But Putin blew it. Nobody wants to do business with Russia, nobody wants Putin at the table, nobody wants to make a deal, nobody cares what Russia demands anymore. Russia is considered weaker than ever. All Russia could do, is nuke the planet and lose anyway. That's like a school bully who is too weak to even touch you, unable to do anything at all, except for jumping off a cliff and taking you with him. That may be enough to be a psychopath, but not enough to be a bully. Russia already lost so much, and they don't even know it yet. In their own arrogance, they don't see what's coming. All that's left for Russia is India and China, but THEY are the bullies now, because Russia has not choice.
Ok but why would Israel want to do that? The nordstream pipeline is benefitting Russia and Europe, the continent is Israel's biggest trading partner with 34.4% of Israel's imports coming from EU and 29% of its exports going to EU. Why would it want to sabotage its closest trading partner? It's like a business wanting to destroy both its biggest client and supplier. Israel's also in constant war against various Middle East countries and Russia is Middle's East direct competitor in the oil business, the main revenue stream of most if not all of the Middle East countries. The enemy of your enemy is your friend. Why would Israel want to destroy its friend? Does not make sense. The only potential candidate is one of those middle east countries. They've beheaded innocent journalists and bombed an entire concert venue in broad daylight, they don't give a shit about getting caught.
You have the same problem as Russia. You have no point at all, and I doubt anyone is taking you serious.