How this shift will affect social stability remains to be seen.

WSJ: The Urumqi Effect

"Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the park position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate, " stated NHTSA documents.

BBC: Hyundai and Kia in US car recalls

Hence - having ruled out sanctions altogether - the hint of a shift in the Russian foreign minister's recent comments that "if sanctions could help stop violence and maintain stability... we would be the most decisive supporters".

BBC: Syria unrest: Russia pulled two ways