Commentary Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine has created untold hardship. So also have the sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States and its allies. Everyone in assessing these matters should keep in mind the relative degrees of suffering. Worst is the pain imposed on the Ukrainian people, as is apparent in the pictures and reports filtering out of that unfortunate country. Second is the suffering among Russian people as the sanctions wreck that country’s economy. Some might see just deserts in this, for Vladimir Putin and his cronies certainly, but also certainly not for ordinary Russians, none of whom had say in the Kremlin’s decision. Far less, though not insignificant, is the pain being inflicted on the U.S. economy. This lesser bit is the subject of this discussion. America’s most significant burden comes through the rising cost of energy. In just the weeks since Russia invaded and the sanctions …