British Prime Minister may announced the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats this morning in retaliation for the apparent assassination attempt in Britain targeting a Russian expatriate and his daughter using a highly potent nerve agent developed in Russia. The target is a clear opponent of Russian president Putin. This is something like the fifteenth Putin opponent to be killed or attacked in Britain since Putin came to power.
The idea that the Russian security services feel able to launch attacks at will on Russian expats in the UK speaks volumes about the attitude held by Putin towards the Brits and the rest of the West. Putin obviously believes that Russia will pay no price for these actions. The expulsion of diplomats hardly raises the cost to the Russians.
What is needed now is a method of raising the costs for the Russians of their actions in this matter. The costs could be military. For example, NATO could station troops near the Russian border in Estonia or the other Baltic states. Missile defenses could be upgraded in Eastern Europe. Much stronger weaponry could be sold to Ukraine for possible use against the Russian forces that invaded that country. Actions could be taken in Syria to increase the cost to the Russians of maintaining their bases there. These are all possibilities. Each would tell Putin that he had gone too far and would now pay a price.
The costs could also be economic. NATO could launch a coordinated effort to provide for importation of natural gas from the USA. Each BTU of energy from American natural gas used in Europe is one fewer BTU of Russian gas sold by Putin's empire to the West. It's a direct hit on the Russian economy. Europe could also cut off certain exports to the Russians. I'm sure there are materials that Russia needs and can get only from the Europeans.
The costs could be cyber. Surely the Brits have the ability to launch cyber attacks on Russian internet sites. One or two well placed blows would tell Putin to stop.
The costs could also be personal. Without a doubt, there are embarrassing things that the Brits know about Putin that could be made public. Where does he have secret bank accounts, for example? Surely, he does. Putin would not want that made public in Russia.
The point is that there is a range of moves that can be taken against Putin that might actually deter further moves by the Russian. Throwing out a few diplomats is not one of them. Stronger action is needed.
The idea that the Russian security services feel able to launch attacks at will on Russian expats in the UK speaks volumes about the attitude held by Putin towards the Brits and the rest of the West. Putin obviously believes that Russia will pay no price for these actions. The expulsion of diplomats hardly raises the cost to the Russians.
What is needed now is a method of raising the costs for the Russians of their actions in this matter. The costs could be military. For example, NATO could station troops near the Russian border in Estonia or the other Baltic states. Missile defenses could be upgraded in Eastern Europe. Much stronger weaponry could be sold to Ukraine for possible use against the Russian forces that invaded that country. Actions could be taken in Syria to increase the cost to the Russians of maintaining their bases there. These are all possibilities. Each would tell Putin that he had gone too far and would now pay a price.
The costs could also be economic. NATO could launch a coordinated effort to provide for importation of natural gas from the USA. Each BTU of energy from American natural gas used in Europe is one fewer BTU of Russian gas sold by Putin's empire to the West. It's a direct hit on the Russian economy. Europe could also cut off certain exports to the Russians. I'm sure there are materials that Russia needs and can get only from the Europeans.
The costs could be cyber. Surely the Brits have the ability to launch cyber attacks on Russian internet sites. One or two well placed blows would tell Putin to stop.
The costs could also be personal. Without a doubt, there are embarrassing things that the Brits know about Putin that could be made public. Where does he have secret bank accounts, for example? Surely, he does. Putin would not want that made public in Russia.
The point is that there is a range of moves that can be taken against Putin that might actually deter further moves by the Russian. Throwing out a few diplomats is not one of them. Stronger action is needed.
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