Getting Putin’s attention

A forceful reply, with allies, to Russia’s aggression

Days after Vladimir Putin’s massive, engineered victory March 18 in Russia’s elections, he has been hit, first, with a tragedy and, second, with an unusually steadfast reaction by the West to his latest rogue act — the alleged poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter by Russian agents.

The tragedy was the death by fire at Kemerovo, Siberia, of at least 64, including, so far, 41 children.

The outlaw act, according to the British government, was the chemical attack on the ex-spy and his daughter in Salisbury, England. The Brits say it was carried out by the Russian government.

This act was not only a violation of British sovereignty; it also posed great physical danger to other British citizens.

Russia continues to deny having carried out the attack, and Mr. Putin’s having authorized it. The British maintain stoutly that their investigation validates the charge.

And now, after some delay, the West has responded. The poisoning has resulted in the expulsion of some 100 Russian spies from 26 countries, including 60 from the United States.

President Donald Trump deserves credit for joining the United Kingdom, 17 other European Union nations and NATO and other allies in the expulsions and in condemning the Salisbury attack.

But British Prime Minister Theresa May deserves great credit — for not letting the matter go, for articulating the outrage of Britain and her allies, and for organizing a unified allied response.

Whether Mr. Putin personally ordered or approved the Salisbury attack is not the point. He is responsible, and it is well that the West is holding him accountable.

Mr. Putin is ultimately responsible for the Kemerovo fire also. There are reports of building code violations, possible collusive bribery, doors locked during the fire, and even of one security officer turning off the fire alarm. These are common occurrences in Mr. Putin’s Russia, where life seems to have diminished value, especially to the regime.

The Russian government is said to be stunned by the American president’s joining in the censuring of Mr. Putin’s brutal ways. But, as with many surprising things Mr. Trump does, the attention of the targeted party has been captured.

The questions now are twofold: Is there an effective way to Mr. Putin’s attention and nudge him toward more civilized behavior? And can this be done while Mr. Trump continues to court Mr. Putin and to insist that it is better to talk with the Russians than to reignite the Cold War?

He’s right about the latter goal. But events have proved that the former goal is vitally necessary.