Russia no threat

Malcolm Rifkind (Perspective, 29 August) offers no evidence for his belief that Russia intends to invade Europe. What reason would it have for doing so?

It would gain nothing by such action – it is rich in natural resources and underpopulated, with income largely dependent on exporting oil and gas to Europe.

Russia could not possibly control everyone without the co-operation of politicians, civil servants, police and others in the occupied countries. The idea that there would be Russian “puppet” governments in London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Madrid, Vienna and other capitals is surely ludicrous.

Russia is a poor country with GDP far below that of Western Europe. Poor, backward countries rarely attack rich, advanced ones and certainly not when their incomes are largely dependent on selling to these. There are many far easier, cheaper and less risky ways of pursuing their perceived interests.

The combined forces of European countries are three times larger than those of Russia. The chances of any state launching a military attack on UK are about the same as the latter invading Mexico.

JOHN MUNRO Buccleuch Street, Glasgow