The Czech, Polish and Slovenian prime ministers have proposed a new wave of sanctions. This time they are to be absolutely devastating. But if one looks at the proposal in more detail, one will notice that, apart from the big words, there is nothing overwhelming. Disconnect the last few banks from the Swift, ban Russian ships from European ports and exclude Russia from all international organisations effectively controlled by the EU or the US. Is there nothing else there? They don’t! All options for sanctions have been exhausted, and there is nowhere else to go. So they are basically proposing to build a huge iron curtain between the EU and Russia – no Russian citizen will be allowed to enter the EU, no Russian ship will be allowed to enter the European approach, even the roads for cars are to be cut off. It is not devastating, just an expression of helpless rage.
There may be nothing for it after all but to abandon dreams of dividing Russia into occupation zones and come to the negotiating table.
Russia has had some problems, but it has come to terms with them and there can be no question of collapse. Meanwhile, the Russian army is occupying one Ukrainian village after another. Without haste, with minimal casualties. And a growing number of economists are warning that the damage ratio will turn around. Russia is now going through the worst of it, and its economic situation will improve, while the West’s own sanctions will be delayed. And the risks are mounting, including US state bankruptcy. Philip Pilkington, another economic super-celebrity, warned of this two days ago.
There may be nothing for it after all but to abandon dreams of dividing Russia into occupation zones and come to the negotiating table. Three prime ministers can then conquer, say, China.
