▲ Soldiers salute as the Ukrainian national anthem is played at the funeral of Colonel Oleksiy Telizhenko in Bucha, near in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022. ⓒ AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti
Recently, a blame game on the sanctions on Russia is on. This worldwide political dispute has arisen by the Western world's sanctions on Russia, which is an oppressive measure by the Western bloc to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin's lust for war. The sanctions on Russia may appear cruel, however, I believe this measure is rational and consequent.
To start with the obvious fact, Russia gave a humane reason for such a brutal measure. They enforced an unjustifiable war only to maintain domestic political power, taking away countless innocent Ukraine citizens' lives. According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), there are rational proofs, which are enough to prove the Russian army's cruel collective homicide via weapons of mass destruction. Mr. Putin has also looked at these massive war crimes, without any action or restriction.
Russia-friendly speakers argue that there is no evidence to prove that Putin directly ordered crimes. They also claim Putin is free from responsibility since the Russian army's crimes were mostly not under control. However, although the crimes were individually done, Putin is responsible for refraining from punishing the soldiers. Hence, it is evident that Russia-friendly speakers don't have a word to justify it.
Putin insists that invasion was the only way to make Ukraine a buffer between Russia and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He also claims that when Ukraine successfully joins NATO, Tomahawk Missiles - which can attack Moscow within 7 minutes - will be placed in Ukraine, and it is an immense National Security threat for Russia. Putin argues that sanctions based on this rational war are one-sided.
▲ Putin meeting with members of the Government Coordination Council on the needs of the Russian Armed Forces
ⓒ President of Russia
However, Putin's argument does not consider Ukraine's situation. Ukraine already has a painful memory of losing Crimea to Russia in 2014. It's seeking to join NATO is a reasonable decision to ensure their 'National Security'. Thus, when Russia forcibly tried to prohibit Ukraine from joining NATO, its international reputation will be damaged.
Sanctions skeptics claim their concerns about the economic side effects of the sanctions on Russia. They claim that sanctions against Russia are causing inflation in the Western world due to its restrictions on oil and natural gas imports from Russia, which are fundamental resources for the industrial world. Therefore, the Western world itself is becoming the biggest victim of its own sanctions. Also, skeptics suggested that sanctions should be enforced in a delicately minimized form rather than uniform.
Yet, though considering the opinions that sanctions are a double-edged sword to the Western bloc, it is the only significant option to restrict President Putin's war chest. Historically, war not supported by economic power has consistently failed. And sanctions are outstandingly narrowing down Putin's options. If the Western world fears this minor economic damage, the threat against them will be immense. It would be better for Western leaders to consider long-term economic plans with a bigger perspective, rather than focusing on immediate figures.
Sanctions on Russia are rational. Russia has committed war crimes, and also it was Russia that started the war. Therefore, no matter how much they emphasize the humane perspectives for themselves and blame the Western world for war, it is evident that they possess great significance in the war. Furthermore, they were able to avoid sanctions by suspending invasion, but they did not. Hence, the Western world is executing 'brutal' measures for Russia to stop its insanity, which is a rational choice.
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