No one knows what Putin’s up to, but sanctions are the west’s biggest mistake

[geek tragedy]

2. the point of sanctions is to deter future aggression--so yes ruining the Russian economy

is pretty much the point. Crime doesn't pay, as the saying goes.

Putin's regime has been so thoroughly dishonest--both in public and in private conversations with EU and North American leaders--that there really isn't much point in long-term negotiations with him. What he does, not what he says or promises, is what counts.