TomTom
Member
It is clear, that Russia does not behave according to the rules and laws of the international community. It is also clear, that Putin has not, and probably will not, give 2 hoots about most of the sanctions being contemplated and implemented today. But perhaps, just perhaps, as he has no experience of what a democracy looks and feels like, the combined reaction of the “vox populi”, the voice of the common man, might have a major impact on Russia and thereby, by proxy, on him.
Russia does not get to selectively pick from the menu of international freedom and collaboration. They have decided not to play by these rules and therefore should be excluded. And this should be done at all levels: cultural, economy, sports, leisure, holidays; wherever Russia is a member or Russian people are involved. Postpone, cancel, suspend, delay any and all transactions and events.
Pressure World Sailing, FIFA, UEFA, the World Chess Federation, FIS (Ski federation), the International Institute of Accountants, or whatever organisation you are involved in, to suspend Russia’s membership or Russian members and cancel any events involving Russian teams or locations and revoke the licences of Russian players. Are you buying Russian products? See if there are any alternatives or else delay it as long as possible. Are they buying from you? If you can stop the transaction then do so, else stiff them on price, delivery, any which way you can. Cancel or suspend language exchange, science or any other collaboration programs.
No-one is going to like this. There will be quotes like “you should separate politics and “(fill in whatever interest is being pursued)”” or “it’ll hurt the common Russians” or “It won’t have an effect”. In the end, it will have an effect. You can’t look a Russian in the eye and say that this behaviour is ok. They’ve “elected” Putin, they should feel the consequences of his actions.
Perhaps the vox populi can do what diplomacy can’t: tell him where the boundaries are.
#IsolateRussia
Russia does not get to selectively pick from the menu of international freedom and collaboration. They have decided not to play by these rules and therefore should be excluded. And this should be done at all levels: cultural, economy, sports, leisure, holidays; wherever Russia is a member or Russian people are involved. Postpone, cancel, suspend, delay any and all transactions and events.
Pressure World Sailing, FIFA, UEFA, the World Chess Federation, FIS (Ski federation), the International Institute of Accountants, or whatever organisation you are involved in, to suspend Russia’s membership or Russian members and cancel any events involving Russian teams or locations and revoke the licences of Russian players. Are you buying Russian products? See if there are any alternatives or else delay it as long as possible. Are they buying from you? If you can stop the transaction then do so, else stiff them on price, delivery, any which way you can. Cancel or suspend language exchange, science or any other collaboration programs.
No-one is going to like this. There will be quotes like “you should separate politics and “(fill in whatever interest is being pursued)”” or “it’ll hurt the common Russians” or “It won’t have an effect”. In the end, it will have an effect. You can’t look a Russian in the eye and say that this behaviour is ok. They’ve “elected” Putin, they should feel the consequences of his actions.
Perhaps the vox populi can do what diplomacy can’t: tell him where the boundaries are.
#IsolateRussia
