Quote:
Originally Posted by CyberSEO
Of course the sanctions have heal huge and sharp teeth. But not for Putin. He will be a beneficiary of those sanctions (read above). So the teeth are intended to bite regular civilian Russian people to make the angry on West and gather together aground Putin. That's what actually happens right now.
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^^ This ^^
For everyone reading this thread, the sanctions are having an effect, it's just not as BIG as the foreign companies and western media portray them to be.
Many years ago, the French under pressure from the US did not deliver Russia a warship already built and paid for. Russia then blocked imports on popular food items like cheese. Russia encouraged these items to be made in Russia. Now, the Russian market offers quality French style cheeses locally made.
And the EU embargo against Russian ships ... the legal wording excluded the actual cargo. That is why you'll read stories online about ships docked in the UK, that tell the story of the dock workers refusing to unload the cargo. It was a personal decision they made, and not one to remain in compliance with the current sanctions.
Russians outside of Russia are unable to access their money (Visa and MC), unable to manage wire transfers (Swift) and find it difficult to fly home (flight restrictions) if that is what they wanted. They are stuck abroad. Think about that holiday abroad, having a great time, then suddenly you are stuck in paradise, without access to funds in order to cover the costs of shelter, food and transportation. At some point you may become homeless abroad, and a burden to the foreign country.
While I agree with the concept of applying financial pressure on the Russian citizens, in the hopes they stand up and revolt against the Govt, we are hurting ourselves in the process. This only works if we have a long game and strategy in mind. Do we?