Quote Originally Posted by Gilrandir View Post
You may be right speaking of the sanctions which are being enforced now - they may be annoying, but aren't that effective. But, in my opinion, you draw a wrong conclusion. Why weren't/aren't sanctions effective? Perhaps because the West is reluctant to introduce the sanctions that WILL hurt? So, if you want sanctions to be effective choose the ones properly - like the one with quick money or whatever it is called. Otherwise it is complaining that the disease persists making the patient take halfdoses of medicines.
I am in agreement. The most effective sanctions would be the ones that halt the flow of oil and gas into Europe. Russia relies heavily on that for revenue but so does the EU rely heavily on Russia for energy. It would certainly cause a crisis in both Russia and the EU (unless the EU found alternative energy sources) so it will probably never happen. Another form of sanction that could happen is banning Russia from the SWIFT interbank payment system which would cripple the Russia economy further as they wouldnt be able to transfer money to banks in other countries, causing a default. Foreign direct investment has already been fleeing the country since Crimea and Ukraine happened (over $200 billion as I recall), but I suspect that also has to do with the FSB seizing private property so investors are reluctant to put in the money if they fear the FSB just taking it away.