Q: What can we do to make life uncomfortable for a country invading another country.
A: Close fashion boutiques.
The fact that companies have sat idle all the way to the point at which nuclear threats are being discussed and still haven't closed is a moral abomination. We have directly seen how much of a motivator the prospect of being conscripted into the Russian army is, with people protesting and criticising the government that previously supported them, at least publically. There is a class of Russian who is comfortable, and they have no right to be. When they are uncomfortable, they will demand change. Westerners should not facilitate that comfort.
Personally I'm not convinced that continuing to take it out on the russian people in hopes that what, they voted Putin out, or stage a coup, is the best way forward. I'm sure there's been lots of thought put into this already. But like as an extreme, I don't hold the North Korean people, who by all accounts have a very poor standard of living, accountable for not overthrowing their government. I don't think that pushing Russia towards anything like that is good for anyone
It seems like you genuinely think that closing fashion boutiques will stop Putin from using a nuclear weapon, and you seem to be comparing the loss of these boutiques to being conscripted into the army.
The Russian people will do it themselves when their lives are stripped of everything that makes them worth living. The prospect of being held to their imperialist beliefs and conscripted is enough to turn nationalists against their own government. It can be done, it's merely a question of motivation.
Closing fashion boutiques isn’t going to do anything to “strip away everything that makes their lives worth living”. It’s a bizarre suggestion that a lack of access western clothing brands could have this effect.
There are in fact Russian clothing brands and tailors, who are just as good.
Sure. But you think that losing fashion boutiques is going to motivate them? I mean sure, it may supply an infinitessimal increment of motivation. Do you think it's really going to be enough to matter?
Q: What can we do to make life uncomfortable for a country invading another country.
A: Close fashion boutiques.
The fact that companies have sat idle all the way to the point at which nuclear threats are being discussed and still haven't closed is a moral abomination. We have directly seen how much of a motivator the prospect of being conscripted into the Russian army is, with people protesting and criticising the government that previously supported them, at least publically. There is a class of Russian who is comfortable, and they have no right to be. When they are uncomfortable, they will demand change. Westerners should not facilitate that comfort.