‘Back Ukraine and modernise forces’
THE death of Alexei Navalny, Putin’s most determined and courageous opponent, has figured prominently in the media.
He was imprisoned on spurious charges. The Russian government spokesman asks us to believe that he went for a walk in a Siberian February and was suddenly afflicted with a mortal illness, as yet unidentified.
This episode shows the ruthlessness and dishonesty of the Putin regime, and adds one to the tally of mysterious deaths removing dissidents from circulation.
It is not hard to guess at the reasons for the timing. Next month, Putin is standing for re-election. Even though the result is fixed beforehand, he would like as large a majority as possible.
Russian forces have just taken Avdiika from Ukraine. So Putin, pictured, can, after defeats ending in a near stalemate, bask in military glory.
The U.S. is semi-paralysed by isolationism. Its reluctance to give Ukraine adequate military support has been blamed for the loss of Avdiika.
On a more positive note, Germany is rearming and several other European countries, some very recent applicants to join NATO, are increasing their defence budgets and the size of their armed forces.
Britain has suddenly realised that it has allowed its army and navy to run down.
President Zelensky warned Western Europe that it would be their turn next. Do we want to be dragged into the Russian orbit, even in a softened and disguised form? Because Russia has no natural frontiers, such as seas and mountain ranges, its governments see expansion and conquest as selfdefence.
Its nervous neighbours see the situation differently. Put simply, the U.S. cannot be relied on. We must back Ukraine, modernise our forces and cooperate with the rest of Europe.
Perhaps our local MPS could bear in mind Oliver Cromwell’s advice: “It is better to make war in the bowels of another country than one’s own.”
Margaret Brown