This has always been the case, sadly. These agreements are valid for those who feel bound by them. But criminals or the criminally-minded do not share this feeling, and rely upon the agreements to hamstring the law-abiding.

A simple preventative measure wouild have been a large NATO 'exercise' near the Ukrainian border as Putin was building his forces on the opposite side.

Sanctions are chancy at best, especially when so many nations simply will not apply them. The seizure of assets might have been more effective if accompanied by the arrest and internment of influential Russians caught outside their borders, but they'll all have gone to ground or run home by now.

But it's not just about taking money. Giving it to certain people in Russia might prove as effective. Sun Tzu pointed out how effective the 'laying out of a few ounces of silver in honours and emoluments' can be in putting an end to wars.