they didn't put sanctions down on the russians because they interfered in the election.

rather, they told you the russians interfered in the election so they could put sanctions down on them.

but, these are toothless. the sanctions regime unraveled quickly after the election. they're just punishing the germans, really, at this point, because nobody else is on board.

i do not expect that the trump presidency will be lenient on russia, or that he will reverse the sanctions. but, i don't expect that he'll be able to put the sanctions regime back together, either. and, thus, the important question is how long the germans stay onside for.