The economic results could spark discontent among the Russian people.
The U.S. is already working to implement severe sanctions. That’s an important first step. The U.S. and its allies will look to isolate Russia economically, including by cutting Russia out of the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) banking network and ensuring the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline remains off.
While Russia has bolstered its currency reserves in anticipation of this sort of moment, the economic results of this strategy could spark discontent among the Russian people about Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, which has already sparked protests despite the strong risk of arrest.
Along with economic isolation, another strategy would be to cut off Russia from the world. The U.S. could pressure allies around the world to expel Russian diplomats and shutter their embassies. The Czech Republic has already set a precedent by closing Russian consulates on Czech territory and sending their diplomats home.
Further, the U.S. and its allies can stop issuing visas to Russian nationals.
The U.S. could also work with our NATO allies to ensure NATO members in Eastern Europe are protected from further Russian incursion.