~But, say American experts, there is a danger that the new Western sanctions can only rally the masses around the Russian “national leader”. ~
They say it like if such a sanctions ever worked the other way.
No one in Russia is going to change policies because of Western sanctions. If there is a price to be paid for upholding Russia’s national interests, they’re seen as a necessary evil.
By the time the sanctions damage the Russia economy, the West will be hurt as well. Russia is not going to stop being involved in Ukraine because its an important country bordering Russia. It wants to see a neutral and friendly government there. Short of that it fully intends to make life difficult for Kiev.
And there is not much the West can do to counter it.