That's the only option, because otherwise you are saying that Russia can engage in acts of war against Europe and Europe can't respond. That's not how it should work. And what they do with cables is totally acts of war.
> I see no evidence of that.
Their Black Sea fleet hides in their ports, because they know the moment they'll try to roam, Ukraine will sink them. What other evidence do you need? It works.
> That's the only option, because otherwise you are saying that Russia can engage in acts of war against Europe and Europe can't respond.
Warfare is not the only option; there are many tools in the toolchest.
What is the source of all this warmongering language today, from so many commenters, using the same transparently erroneous ideas? Obviously it's false to suggest that the only way to influence events in international relations is warfare. What do you think countries are doing during the 99% of the time they are at peace? It can't be coincidence that everyone is coming up with same thing - what is the source of it?
Is someone runnig a warmongering campaign on social media? I suppose, given history, it's very predictable. It's been done to publics via older forms of media. We know some powerful people who actively advocate for it.
If one side is already engaged in warfare, then yes, it's the only option. But of course Putin wants everyone to immediately capitulate and of course he would say that fighting back shouldn't be an option. Who besides his Axis Sallies would repeat such idea though?
And if you are looking for war mongering, look no further than Putin himself.
History always puts things in their place and Putin will end up like his role model from WW II too.
The deterimination to start a war is really dumb and yet common historically. You seem to want to insist there is no other option rather than think about the options. Obviously it's false that warfare is the only option, as is calling Putin's actions against NATO 'warfare'.
It doesn't matter if Putin uses warfare Ukraine, etc. We make our own choices in our own interests.
> I see no evidence of that.
Their Black Sea fleet hides in their ports, because they know the moment they'll try to roam, Ukraine will sink them. What other evidence do you need? It works.