klamp

Of course. The U.S. has always wanted to dominate energy sales to Europe. The conflict is very much about dominance in the Caspian Sea:

https://www.heritage.org/europe/report/time-us-strategy-the-...

"The importance that Russia places on the Caspian can also help explain, at least in part, its determination to occupy Crimea and fully control the Sea of Azov. One of the two canals connecting the Caspian to the outside world is the Volga–Don Canal, which links the Caspian Sea with the Sea of Azov. In the past year Russia has been using the Volga–Don Canal more often to move warships between the Caspian Sea and the Sea of Azov,41"

Both the U.S. and Russia want influence in a region, so a proxy war ensues.