It was all going so well for Vladmir Putin. In the days after he invaded Ukraine, the West’s response was predictably tepid.

Italy carved luxuries out of Europe’s economic sanctions so Russians can still buy Gucci. Belgium exempted diamonds.

Germany sent 5,000 helmets to Ukraine. Kyiv’s mayor, the former world heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko, was so grateful he wanted more. “What kind of support will Germany send next? Pillows?” he asked.

Meanwhile, Britain’s Spectator magazine covered all the big news in this week’s Edition podcast. It had three stories: “What does Putin really want for Russia?” “Should there be women-only places on trains?” and “Why do old men like stripping off?”

The UK and European Parliaments lit their buildings in blue and yellow. Russia was kicked out of Eurovision.

All of this was no doubt a great comfort to the people huddling in Kyiv’s subways as the missiles exploded above their heads.

New Zealand’s response was equally devastating.

“Aotearoa New Zealand condemns the advance of Russian military personnel and equipment into Ukraine,” said the Foreign Minister on Twitter. “Aotearoa New Zealand has conveyed our support directly to the Government of Ukraine,” thundered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The government changed entry rules for Russian diplomats. This put members of the Russian government into the same category as pregnant New Zealand women trying to get home.

The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence said we should use “our good relationship” with China to rein in Russia. Yes. Because that is how international diplomacy works. Thanks, Minister.

And we turned the Sky Tower blue and yellow at night.

Take that, Putin.

But it turns out the West was just getting started.

Perhaps inspired by Ukraine’s brave President, or the threat of Russian boots on their turf, or voters’ demands, Western governments found their backbones.

At a rare Sunday session of the German Parliament, centre-Left Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared “we fully intend to secure our freedom, our democracy and our prosperity.” He announced €100 billion of new defence spending, and sent Germany’s army to Lithuania and its air force to Romania.

Countries voted to exclude Russia from the SWIFT financial system. The Rouble collapsed. Putin fired his military chief. The Ukraine government remains intact.

In these strange times, it is a relief that when threats turn real governments can still find the strength to stand tall.