Did I say that the sanctions imposed on Russian officials would end up rewarding them by enhancing their public standing? Well, here, from AFP, is the evidence:
US lawmakers ‘proud’ to be blacklisted in Russia row
Washington — US lawmakers scoffed at sanctions imposed on them by Russia Thursday, saying it was a point of pride to be on President Vladimir Putin’s blacklist.
…”Proud to be included on a list of those willing to stand against Putin’s aggression,” Boehner wrote on Twitter.
…“It doesn’t have to be this way, but if standing up for the Ukrainian people, their freedom, their hard earned democracy, and sovereignty means I’m sanctioned by Putin, so be it,” he [Robert Menendez] said.
And Senator John McCain, a fierce Kremlin critic who says Putin has long aimed to rebuild the Russian empire, also chimed in.
“I’m proud to be sanctioned by Putin — I’ll never cease my efforts & dedication to freedom & independence of #Ukraine, which includes #Crimea,” tweeted McCain, who visited Ukraine last weekend with other senators.
Now just imagine the corresponding article in a Russian newspaper.