This is CBS, I Am The World.

I'm John Batser.

Sanctions regime against the Russian Federation for its attack on Ukraine and its continuing

occupation of the eastern part of the country.

Sanctions regime led by the United States, participating with NATO, with the EU, with the

UN.

And the question is, was Russia ready?

I welcome Antonio Colabasano.

He is at writing for geopolitical futures.

She's a professor at the University of Political Science and Public Administration in Romania.

She lectures on geopolitics and geo-economics.

And, Antonio, a very good evening to you.

Thank you for this.

You report that Russia was ready.

How so?

How did they prepare and how long have they been preparing to your knowledge?

Good evening, John.

Indeed, Russia was ready because Russia was sanctioned since 2014, since it took Crimea.

So, basically, it knew that sanctions were coming.

Plus, the West had advertised the head of the invasion that they will sanction Russia,

if Russia moves ahead with the invasion in Ukraine.

However, Russia had built its entire strategy with regards to Ukraine tied to the European

...