If the pervasive narrative is that Russia is surrounded by enemies (hence invading Ukraine) anyway then why does it matter? This narrative has been around for awhile, not recently.

And the sanctions also result in oligarchs losing their assets. Want to be an ass and disconnect from the west? Fine. But you’re not taking your toys. They can be in prison together with the people they constantly barrage with these narratives. If sanctions don’t work and not sanctioning doesn’t work, might as well sanction and be done with it.