The same leadership that at the start of the sanctions regime claimed Russia's economy was about to collapse is still in power, mostly uncontested. I remember Mario Draghi's condescending and moralizing rhetoric: "Do you want peace or air conditioning?" Turns out we got no peace and the bills still increased by two times.
Notice how those who urge citizens to sacrifice for a higher cause never have to sacrifice anything themselves.
Notice how those who urge citizens to sacrifice for a higher cause never have to sacrifice anything themselves.