Russia is held in an iron grip. The public can not, and will not successfully rise up. Any threat to Putin is either dead, or jailed.

Now, with these restrictions and sanctions, another country, a long time friend of Russia, China, also undergoing trade restrictions, will clearly work with Russia even more closely.

Do people really think that China and Russia do not have the resources, and industry, to not care about sanctions?!

And again historically, when chaos reigns, people take advantage of opportunities. I fully expect China to finally take Taiwan very soon.

Literally, this is the best time for them to do so.

Ukraine is just the match, people. The real flames are not even visible yet.

First, Ukraine is fighting a physical invasion into their territory with their army. The rest of NATO or Europe is not under attack and not at war with Russia. That isn't harsh words.

Second, this is an oversimplification to the point of ignorance. How long would you last if access to a bank was denied? How long do you think wherever you live would be okay?

This isn’t strictly true. Qadaffi warmed up to the west, and even stopped torturing people. And look at how he ended up.

Not only they rule with an iron fist, they can’t rule in any other way, because the very instant they’ll show any sign of weakness, it’s game over.