4 ms·

These indiscriminate sanctions against the whole Russian populations might be one of the biggest political blunders of the decade: The Russian population will l

by singularity2001 5y ago

These indiscriminate sanctions against the whole Russian populations might be one of the biggest political blunders of the decade: The Russian population will likely channel their suffering and anger against the West instead of their government. China will buy crumbling Russian assets for cheap. Russia and China will become closer allies. The whole global economy will be thrown into a second (supply chain …) shock. What would have been the alternative (after the invasion started)? Targeted complete sanctions against the government and all enablers for sure, but would that be enough?

karmasimida 5y ago
Too bad Russia strikes first...War is a one way door decision, everything goes south from there
mensetmanusman 5y ago
The invasion is a political blunder. Sanctions are a casualty of war. If Russia wants to be China’s pet like NK is, that is their decision.
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
axg11 5y ago
Russia-China ties were going to inevitably strengthen regardless of this war. There is no such thing as targeted sanctions against the Russian government, at least in practice. Targeted sanctions are trivial to evade for Russian oligarchs and government figures. The aim of all-encompassing sanctions is to turn people against the government by making life difficult for the average person. Russian propaganda is going to blame NATO/the West - this also would have happened with or without sanctions. Sanctions are a tool to show the Russian people how much worse life can be as an isolated pariah state. Even if the Russian government pivots to China, that is a future promise that living conditions can be restored to their previous state. In return for that promise, China will make demands that amount to Russia becoming a vassal state.
dahdum 5y ago
Democracy is ideal, but I’d rather see Russia utterly dependent on China than autocratic and warmongering. Russia is just 1.7% of global GDP, China already 14%. Russia is driving the rest of Eastern Europe into NATO and towards Western influence, so it may net out. It will also rapidly drive renewable energy investment and growth.
- chii 5y ago
  > Democracy is ideal, but I’d rather see Russia utterly dependent on China than autocratic and warmongering. i would not be so sure - russia being subservient to china just means you have china pulling the strings but with more resources in play. And it's not as if china doesn't want to become a superpower.
gambiting 5y ago
As someone said before - not attacking Ukraine would have cost Russia exactly zero rubles.
- gonzo41 5y ago
  It's called the Rubble now.

karmasimida 5y ago

Too bad Russia strikes first...War is a one way door decision, everything goes south from there

mensetmanusman 5y ago

The invasion is a political blunder. Sanctions are a casualty of war. If Russia wants to be China’s pet like NK is, that is their decision.

deleted 5y ago

[deleted]

axg11 5y ago

Russia-China ties were going to inevitably strengthen regardless of this war. There is no such thing as targeted sanctions against the Russian government, at least in practice. Targeted sanctions are trivial to evade for Russian oligarchs and government figures. The aim of all-encompassing sanctions is to turn people against the government by making life difficult for the average person. Russian propaganda is going to blame NATO/the West - this also would have happened with or without sanctions. Sanctions are a tool to show the Russian people how much worse life can be as an isolated pariah state. Even if the Russian government pivots to China, that is a future promise that living conditions can be restored to their previous state. In return for that promise, China will make demands that amount to Russia becoming a vassal state.

dahdum 5y ago

Democracy is ideal, but I’d rather see Russia utterly dependent on China than autocratic and warmongering. Russia is just 1.7% of global GDP, China already 14%. Russia is driving the rest of Eastern Europe into NATO and towards Western influence, so it may net out. It will also rapidly drive renewable energy investment and growth.

chii 5y ago
> Democracy is ideal, but I’d rather see Russia utterly dependent on China than autocratic and warmongering. i would not be so sure - russia being subservient to china just means you have china pulling the strings but with more resources in play. And it's not as if china doesn't want to become a superpower.

gambiting 5y ago

As someone said before - not attacking Ukraine would have cost Russia exactly zero rubles.

gonzo41 5y ago
It's called the Rubble now.