[bigfudge]

I don’t see how stopping buying oil would be preferable from the perspective of a Russian citizen. Both will be economically ruinous to the Russian states, eventually. One hits innocent European citizens too, so it seems obvious which to choose.

[lowkey]

It is pretty simple really, consider the 2 options:

1) Stop buying oil & gas from oligarchs and Russian elites.

The oils stays in Russia and Russians stay warm in winter.

Putin loses billions in foreign currency which he was using to wage war in Ukraine - crippling his war machine virtually overnight.

The elites and government lose 30% of their GDP and this was money that never trickled down to the plebs. It hurts the oligarchs and givernment who receive the revenue and taxes directly.

2) Broad economic sanctions mean everyday Russians can no longer buy food, medicine, clothing, batteries, electronics, shoes, or anything else from abroad.

It hurts the middle-class and working class more than elites.

Did you know for example that the sanctions against Russia include a carve-out protecting Italy’s ability to sell ultra high-end luxury and designer goods?

Do you still think this is about targeting Russian elites?

[bigfudge]

I thought the Italian luxury stuff had actually gone now. Prada etc are withdrawing.

At this point I don’t blame anyone for sanctioning first then Reviewing later. What is happening in Ukraine is obscene. If there is the smallest possibility that any sanction makes any Russian more likely to protest or question putin it’s worth a go. We can check again in 6 months and see if all are still needed ir likely to be effective.