The sanctions regarding Russia isn't so much about punishment as awareness.

To some extent the dialogue surrounding the sanctions of Russians and Ukrainians is dysfunctional. They are to provide a real time acknowledgement of sovereign integrity of any country. NATO is calling it a wake up call. That, too. 

It is a warning that other nations in the area won't tolerate aggression. No one expected Russia to move militarily into the Crimea. Putin has become a shock jock to the people of Russia. That is not permissible in the real world. Literally, Russia had recognized a euphemistic "Iron Curtain." This wasn't anything Europe expected. The map is very different these days. When is Russia going to catch up?

How far does Europe and the USA take this unexpected attack on a sovereign nation? This is very old world stuff. Very. Do we expect Russia to be this undetermined in the future? Does Europe literally have to protect every border, every sea channel? This is some of the craziest damn politics I have ever witnessed. 

The map to the right is the old Iron Curtain. The pink are Warsaw Pact. The black dot is Berlin. The grey are neutral nations. This is nuts. I'm trying to think of an analogy....I got it. It's like when they opened the Ark in Indiana Jones and all the Germans are saying, "It's so beautiful" and then the circumstances change. That is what this is. The beauty enticed the Germans to look at the shadows floating around and then it burned their eyes out. Now, Europe and the USA has to figure out how to put Russia back in the Ark. Putin didn't do good here.

I never approved of Iraq and it was a done deal from the beginnings in the UN, but, at least the world knew what was going on and why. No one had any clue here and every European nation and NATO has to ask how far does Russia think it can go and what are their plans no one is expecting? This is Iron Curtain stuff, not 2014. This is crazy politics that take people's lives.

There is a lot that has changed because of this invasion into Crimea. It is amazing Russia simply says, "Let's get on with elections now." Like. What? 

This isn't just an average everyday event in the world. I am sure there are plenty of CIA and Interpol meetings and redefining what Russia is all about and it isn't about friendly intentions. 

18 March 2014 

 Last updated at 01:50 ET

 

All sanctions (click here) are intended to persuade, to change minds and to raise the cost of courses of action.

President Putin and his close circle will on Monday have been watching Brussels and Washington, trying to decipher their determination to hurt Russia over its actions in Crimea.
The acid test is whether the steps of the West carry conviction and reflect resolve.
EU foreign ministers have taken a cautious, modest step.