Online Public Relations Thoughts

The Biden administration is jawboning Russia in an attempt to head it off from invading the Ukraine. The threat is harsh sanctions.  Do communications like this work?  It is hard to say when the only thing a leader wants and understands is power.  Putin knows he can take over the Ukraine with his forces, sanctions or not.  He also holds a trump card in his hand by his supply of natural gas to Europe.  He could threaten to cut it off or actually interrupt supply to bring the EU to its knees in the winter months.  Putin knows that neither the EU nor the US have a stomach for war.  He can leave the two of them blustering while he takes over the geography.  There are times for words and times for action.  Putin has the upper hand if he invades.