> They may be arguing against sanctions because they are ineffective and hurt the West. Russians say otherwise. Sanctions applied since 2014 are one of the rea

> They may be arguing against sanctions because they are ineffective and hurt the West. Russians say otherwise. Sanctions applied since 2014 are one of the reasons for the Russian military's ineffectiveness in Ukraine: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/russian-federation/sources-russia-misconduct-boris-bondarev https://www.foreignaffairs.com/russian-federation/sources-ru... To quote the article: "The Russian military industry was heavily dependent on Western-made components and products. It used U.S. and European tools to service drone engines and motors. It relied on Western producers to build gear for radiation-proof electronics, which are critical for the satellites Russian officials use to gather intelligence, communicate, and carry out precision strikes. Russian manufacturers worked with French companies to get the sensors needed for our airplanes. Even some of the cloth used in light aircraft, such as weather balloons, was made by Western businesses. The sanctions suddenly cut off our access to these products and left our military weaker than the West understood. But although it was clear to my team how these losses undermined Russia’s strength, the foreign ministry’s propaganda helped keep the Kremlin from finding out. The consequences of this ignorance are now on full display in Ukraine: the sanctions are one reason Russia has had so much trouble with its invasion." Sanctions can be effective but they work best in the long term, less so in the short term.