Is Russian military force really‘a clear and present danger’to Britain?

BY PORTRAYING Russia as a ‘clear and present danger’ (Mail), the Army is crying wolf on defence funding. Even if there was a credible threat, Nato is based on the doctrine of collective defence, which will bring other members to our aid. Perhaps if Nato had kept its promise not to extend eastwards and create bases along the Russian border, the Russians might not have felt the need to bolster their defences. We do not have the money to squander on more wars. R. CRAWFORD, Dromore, Co. Down. THERE have been incursions into British air-space and our waters by the Russians. If we know our Armed Forces would fit into Wembley with seats to spare, so do our enemies. The most likely way Britain will be targeted is a cyber attack. Heed advice, Mrs May, and give defence the cash it needs. A. J. SMITH, March, Cambs.

OUR Armed Forces have been shabbily treated by every government over the past 20 years and have been committed to ever more conflicts, despite a lack of equipment and redundancies. Looking for a fight with Putin is clear stupidity. The real threat to this country does not come from Russia. We should start looking at our internal security and the enemy within. By all means increase our military spending, but use it to protect our citizens and our borders. ALAN MIDGLEY, Tottington, Gtr Manchester. WITH Russia posing a ‘clear and present danger’, surely this is all the more reason why we should remain in europe. There is nothing Russia would like more than to see the break-up of europe. Should Russia decide to invade us, will we turn to our european allies to ask for their help? J. SMYTH, Bath. THE overwhelmingly destructive power of the atom and hydrogen bombs and the commonly accepted theory of deterrence has kept the peace in Europe rather than the exaggerated claims of the EU. It deterred the ambitions of Stalin and his successors and I believe it will continue to deter Vladimir Putin. RODERICK HUDSMITH, Wells, Somerset. PuTIn’S regime is responsible for the shooting down of an international airliner, the invasion of another country’s sovereign territory and assisting a despot to murder his own people in Syria. His sportsmen cheat in every discipline by using performanceenhancing drugs, and yet we are going to play football in Russia later this year. It is time the Government showed leadership and withdrew the england team from the World Cup.

KEVIN PLATT, Walsall, W. Mids.