This. The ruling class in the countries can still get the products and services they want. Can someone actually point to a case where broad sanctions like this has made a difference? Cuba has survived these sanctions for decades. When politians like Marco Rubio says the regime is about to break if we keep the pressure on, I just laugh.
It’s hard to prove causation, but South Africa only started making real progress towards ending apartheid after broad sanctions started getting passed.
the UK is especially disgusting in this. For example, Chelsea is still owned by Abramovich (a close Putin’s ally) who has no trouble traveling, buying property and otherwise enjoying what West has to offer.
Tons of “Untied Russia” party members own property in Miami and London with no issues whatsoever
