Putin can’t be allowed to enjoy unlimited immunity

The dastardly act of blowing up Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 in Ukrainian airspace, a few days after US President Barack Obama and the European Union (EU) announced sanctions against Russia, can be dismissed as mere coincidence, but in the world of cutthroat power politics, it is tough to wish it away as thus.

After reviewing Russian attempts to end the crisis in Ukraine as a failure, the fresh sanctions have been designed to hit Moscow where it hurts the most — banking, energy, defence and the Ukrainian separatists. The decisions have been ratified by EU leaders. The net around Russian President Vladimir Putin is closing in through a two-pronged pressure applied via forcing a weakening economy and diplomatic isolation. Sanctions must be applied on Russia for its open sponsorship of the current conflict in Ukraine. It could lead to a revisit of the Cold War era, as Russians seem to suggest, with the US, but Moscow cannot be let off with a mere slap on the wrist. Putin cannot be allowed to enjoy unlimited immunity.

The potency of these sanctions will be put to the test when Russia weighs its own options, especially its power to turn off the gas supplies to Europe this winter. This will be Putin’s trump card and it could influence certain European nations to reconsider whether to go all the way with Washington or safeguard their own interests. This tactic could only have short-term gains for Russia, however, as it needs money and gas is its most important export. If the US and Russia find no traction in this diplomatic standoff, a revisit to the Cold War era could well be envisaged. At least that is what the Kremlin is suggesting. In this battle for political one-upmanship, all stakeholders will be required to walk the tightrope.