While true, I think it’s the wrong criticism in this case, as the necessity of hurt has to be at the target of the sanctions rather than at the one imposing them.
Rather:
The sanctions that appeared after the Russian annexation of Crimea were the painless ones. The current situation is so much worse for EU interests that the EU feels it needs to demonstrate that it is willing to experience at least some discomfort in order to prevent Russian aggression.
While true, I think it’s the wrong criticism in this case, as the necessity of hurt has to be at the target of the sanctions rather than at the one imposing them.
Rather:
The sanctions that appeared after the Russian annexation of Crimea were the painless ones. The current situation is so much worse for EU interests that the EU feels it needs to demonstrate that it is willing to experience at least some discomfort in order to prevent Russian aggression.