Comment by franga2000
5 years ago
This is what sanctions are. Blocking bank accounts also hurts the people trying to flee, but it's one of the standard sanctions. It seems that everyone is hoping that making the Russian people's lives more difficult will make them stop supporting Putin and he will end the attack because of that. Why a dictator would care at all whether citizens support him or not is unlear to me, so I can't imagine any of this is going to be particularly effective.
I think there's a solid chance that they can twist it in a way that bolsters support for Putin.
He's long said something like "when the West hates me, that's when I'm on the right path." (My paraphrase from memory)
So the population is perhaps primed for another conclusion.
> Putin’s public approval is soaring during the Russia-Ukraine crisis, but it’s unlikely to last
> Approximately 69% of Russians now approve of Putin, compared to the 61% who approved of him in August 2021
https://theconversation.com/putins-public-approval-is-soarin...
How is that any relevant? It's still nearly double Biden's "public approval" and yet...
Historically I can't find any significant example of sanctions that helped topple a dictator from outside (Iran, Cuba, Syria, ...)
It might very well be inflicting lots of suffering on the populations, for no result.
What would be the better alternative? It seems direct military action by NATO/else is far removed from the table. Should the rest of the world remain silent and allow this to continue without any repercussions?
I am genuinely asking, as I have not been presented with any preferable alternatives.
Sanctions did a lot to end apartheid - granted, not a single dictator