[tetromino_]

> If I'd linked you an article that said the Russian people wouldn't be hurt but that the sanctions were likely to change Putin's policies, then would you feel the opposite?

Of course.

> It seems like you're trying to play both sides of the coin here.

It seems like your telepathy machine is broken.

> There is no intervention on Earth that would guarantee the changing of Putin's mind short of a gun to his head.

That might be the case. But if you think that is the case, why are you suggesting a different, ineffective but cruel intervention? An uncharitable interpretation of your proposal is that you want to hurt ordinary Russian people because you want to see someone suffer for Putin's actions.