The latest round of sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom against Russia carries a palpable air of impotent futility, according to a stark analysis following the release of the Dawn Sturgess public inquiry report on Thursday 4 December 2025.
Sanctions and Rhetoric Fail to Shift Putin's Stance
Despite concerted efforts across Europe involving diplomatic handwringing, strong rhetoric, and economic penalties, Vladimir Putin appears entirely unmoved. This week, the Russian leader adopted a notably more belligerent tone, warning that while Russia does not desire a war, it is fully prepared should Europe initiate one.
As the conflict in Ukraine approaches its fourth year, the global landscape has shifted dramatically. The so-called 'rules-based world order' is fragmenting. America, its long-time guardian, has effectively deserted this framework, increasingly aligning itself with Moscow. The Trump administration is reportedly more focused on the potential for renewed trade and lucrative business deals with Putin's Russia, despite its record.
Ukraine's Precarious Position and Europe's Paralysis
On the battlefield, Russia is making slow but steady gains. Meanwhile, Ukraine is running critically short of funds. American financial aid has ceased, with the US now acting primarily as an arms dealer, selling weapons to Ukraine via European intermediaries. Kyiv requires over a hundred billion dollars annually to sustain its defence, a sum Europe is struggling to provide.
European governments are currently embroiled in disputes over how to utilise frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's war effort. There is no indication that European leaders are willing to ask their taxpayers to directly shoulder this immense financial burden. The alternative—deploying troops to Ukraine—remains firmly off the table.
A Moment of Reckoning for European Leadership
In response to the inquiry into the 2018 Salisbury novichok poisoning, which found Putin "morally responsible" for the death of Dawn Sturgess, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the Kremlin's disregard for innocent lives. However, without the substantial financial backing to match its strong words and sanctions, Europe's stance risks being dismissed as mere posturing.
For nearly a year, European capitals have seemed in a state of denial, akin to a spurned partner hoping to win back affection as America's rapprochement with Russia becomes increasingly evident. The Trump-Putin relationship is now out in the open, with the US prioritising profit from arms sales over steadfast support for either Europe or Ukraine.
Analysts warn that substituting tangible financial aid for Ukraine with further sanctions and rhetoric may soon become worse than pointless. It could encourage Kyiv to continue a fight under the mistaken belief that Europe will ultimately provide decisive support, a scenario Putin has cynically described as fighting "to the last Ukrainian". The moment for a sober European reckoning is fast approaching, yet there is little sign its leaders are prepared to face this stark new reality.
