Hangarshuffle,
Your (where did it go?) : "Wonder what Putin thinks ?"
Thinks he's got us by the short & curlies - and he may not be far wrong. Am old enough to remember when we were told that sanctions would curb Mussolini - they didn't, he still went into Abyssinia. Same with every time sanctions have been used.
All sanctions involve a restraint of Trade, and the Trade only exists because it is advantageous to both parties, it follows that both will suffer from the restraint - it is a two-edged sword. And if it is put into effect, there will be governments and individuals who have an immediate interest in getting round those same sanctions.
And if both sides are suffering, who is likely to stick it out the longer ? ("Hard pounding, Gentlemen", said Wellington at Waterloo [?] - "we shall see who can pound the longest"). Think of Stalingrad !
Anyway, my guess is that nothing effective will be done by the West. There is no sign of anybody stepping out to "bell the cat". We are "All Mouth and No Trousers !"
Nobody is going to press the nucelar button - we may both be daft, but we're not stupid.
Last edited by Danny42C; 1st Sep 2014 at 21:11.
Reason: Now you see it, now you don't !