West must bolster Kyiv

THE missile attack on the shopping centre in the Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk joins the growing list of atrocities committed by Russian forces.

It is a reminder that Vladimir Putin is deliberately targeting innocent civilians.

Ukrainian people can take heart from the show of support by premiers at the G7 summit in Germany yesterday where they pledged to stand by the country for as long as it takes.

Contrary to claims that cracks were starting to appear in the alliance, the world leaders were united in the view that it is for Ukraine alone to determine its future.

Words of solidarity will count for nothing unless they are accompanied by more military assistance. President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to the G7 for more anti-aircraft systems, weapons and tougher sanctions.

Western powers must answer his call. To do otherwise would allow Putin to gain further ground and kill and maim more innocents.