British sanctions will need to go much further if they are to hit Putin’s Russia where it hurts
SIR – As someone once involved in countering illicit finance in various forms, I would argue that the “first barrage” of British sanctions against Russia (report, February 23) lack any significant operational bite.
Sadly, they reaffirm Britain’s recent propensity for light-touch interventions against Russian elites and amount to little more than political window dressing.
This is a watershed moment. Further measures need to target the oligarch trustees – seemingly known to the British authorities – who manage Vladimir Putin’s wealth.
Dr Marc Parker
Bangor, Co Down
SIR – Vladimir Putin must be trembling. Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, is threatening a few sanctions, and something about the Champions League not taking place in St Petersburg. I can just see those Russian tanks turning around. Stefan Badham
Portsmouth, Hampshire
SIR – Sanctions need to hit Russians where it hurts.
All yachts should be banned from territorial waters outside Russia, and all private jets should be banned from non-russian airspace. Any already in port or on the ground should be impounded. The children of Russian parents should be excluded from British schools. These sanctions would be carefully targeted to hurt only the wealthy, as it is they who support Mr Putin (for their own selfish reasons).
If Emmanuel Macron is serious about stopping Mr Putin, he should also ban all Russians from French ski resorts. Failure to apply such sanctions would send the message that the West intends to let Mr Putin have what he thinks is his part of Ukraine.
Huw Wynne-griffith London W8
SIR – Vladimir Putin and his gang are no more interested in diplomacy than were Hitler or Genghis Khan.
He despises Western politicians as weak, indecisive hand-wringers, and is no doubt counting on a response that is disunited and based on fine words rather than meaningful action.
British, EU and Nato leaders, steeped in 21st-century sensitivities, must show that they are also willing and able to meet an act reminiscent of 19th-century aggression with suitable fortitude, toughness and courage. That is the only currency Mr Putin respects. Mark Mortimer
Blandford Forum, Dorset
SIR – Charles Moore (Comment, February 19) is right that the West has for too long pretended that Vladimir Putin is not the enemy.
With Mr Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, this illusion has now come crashing down. However, to suggest that the West has lost is too defeatist.
Sanctions are one option, but they will not work as a deterrent and will be seen only as a punishment. The free world must rally round Ukraine and give it all the support it can, both on and off the battlefield, to deter Mr Putin from further aggression. The only way to stop a bully is to give him a bloody nose. The only safe course is to arm Ukraine to the hilt and make sure Mr Putin gets one.
M J Svoboda
Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
SIR – Margaret Thatcher, anticipating a long and bitter miners’ strike, ensured that enough coal was stockpiled to last the country a year.
How much fuel has been stockpiled by our Government to ensure continuity in the event that supplies get constricted?
Gerald Penney
Teignmouth, Devon
SIR – Is there no one in Russia’s high command capable of seizing Vladimir Putin’s war machine and putting it to good use by executing a coup and ridding the country of this tyrant?
It’s hard to believe that ordinary Russians want to inflict such pain on their friendly neighbours.
Bob Stebbings Chorleywood, Hertfordshire