No matter how much sanctions “hurt” Russia there are simply two questions to be asked. One, will it be able to feed its population? Two, will it be able to supply the energy needs of its population? The answer to both of those is an obvious “yes”.
Russia is at an absolute advantage in a sanctions battle by having a far less developed economy. Simply speaking, for much it not most of its population the economy already sucked in lots of ways. They’re not going to notice that much difference if there is a little bit less western bullshchit on the shelves.
And just like Biden is trying to blame Putin for everything, Putin is going to blame any economic hardship on the “unfair” western sanctions. People will undergo a lot of hardship when they believe they are fighting against some outside malevolent force. That’s an absolute advantage for him that doesn’t really work for us since most Americans couldn’t have found THE Ukraine on a map before all this started and don’t give a damn what happens there.
