The imposition of US sanctions or the threat of sanctions on Russia is nothing new. But this time, US President Joe Biden heard something really new.
Last Tuesday, Biden surprised everyone. He spoke in support of the US Alliance, but said that maintaining some independence was important for Russia. The next day, Wednesday, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss also echoed Biden's tune. He says his country could take any action, including a personal embargo on Putin, if Ukraine is attacked.
The British Foreign Secretary indicated that all their allies would do the same in response to the attack on Ukraine. They will take joint action. Everyone will show Putin that they are united. Russia did not take time to respond to the threat. Russia on Wednesday said it would not harm President Putin if he was personally banned. It will be a boomerang. The consequences of such a ban would be politically destructive.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry reminded the West that sanctions on the Russian president would be tantamount to severing diplomatic ties. In the words of "Imposing sanctions on the head of state, against the president of Russia, I repeat, would be an exaggerated move, comparable to severing ties."
A Kremlin spokesman said Moscow was ready to retaliate.
Westerners, including Kiev and Washington, have accused Russia of plotting to invade Ukraine. For this, they have gathered about one lakh troops on the border of Ukraine. In the words of "Imposing sanctions on the head of state, against the president of Russia, I repeat, would be an exaggerated move, comparable to severing ties."
A Kremlin spokesman said Moscow was ready to retaliate.
Westerners, including Kiev and Washington, have accused Russia of plotting to invade Ukraine. For this, they have gathered about one lakh troops on the border of Ukraine. Russia claims that it has no plans to invade Ukraine. Instead, Moscow is threatening its security with the Western military alliance, NATO. Russia has demanded that NATO not include Ukraine and others as members of the alliance.
Seeing Moscow's preparations, Western leaders have repeatedly warned that Russia would have to pay a high price if it invaded Ukraine. Biden's announcement is undoubtedly rare and exceptional in the face of such threats from Western leaders. The BBC's James observes that the imposition of sanctions by Western powers on governments or heads of state is not unprecedented. In the past, many powers or heads of state, including Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Bashar al-Assad of Syria, and Gaddafi of Libya, have been seen by Western powers imposing personal sanctions. Gone. But the reality is that imposing sanctions on the leaders of countries like Zimbabwe, Syria, Libya is one thing, and imposing sanctions on the presidents of superpowers like Russia is another. Gone. But the reality is that imposing sanctions on the leaders of countries like Zimbabwe, Syria, Libya is one thing, and imposing sanctions on the presidents of superpowers like Russia is another. Putin's role in resolving many regional issues is considered crucial. If personal sanctions are imposed on him, the solution to these issues is far from over, it will take on a more complex shape. An example is the Iran issue. The West needs Putin's help in reviving the world powers' nuclear deal with Iran. The same can be said for Syria. Putin could play the biggest role in ending the ongoing war in Syria.
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