Photo: AFP

Alongside the University of Coventry’s Nathanael Tilahun, I joined BBC Radio Scotland on Saturday morning to evaluate the effect of sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Listen to Discussion from 1:14.09

We explain the medium- to long-term effect of the measures — “the full impact will become visible in the coming weeks and coming months” — and, paradoxically, the short-term boost to support of Vladimir Putin in Russia.

Putin has spent the last 20 years that the West is out to get him and undermine Russia. The sanctions policy, with its visible impacts, plays into that narrative and reinforces Putin’s message.

Despite this, sanctions fulfil some political and diplomatic aims even if they are not halting Russia’s attacks, including on Ukrianian civilians.