Putin’s upper hand

sir – The West is losing the initiative in the Ukraine war.

The initial fury that Russia could walk into an independent state and take it over has dissipated. Germany’s unwillingness to participate (due to self-interest) and the EU’S inability to take a stand (due to its lack of authority over member states and general incompetence) are significant factors.

I fear that Vladimir Putin will achieve his aims simply by wearing down the West’s resolve to do anything. And he will not stop at Ukraine.

Huw Wynne-griffith

London W8

sir – Ukrainian children wishing to travel to Britain without parents, despite having Dbs-checked sponsors, are being denied access because the Government will not issue visas.

Would so many children have escaped the Nazis if this had been the policy during the Second World War? Children with cancer have rightly been transported here to continue their treatment – but the healthy should have the same opportunities.

Nina Bell-williamson

Wokingham, Berkshire

sir – As Hamish de Bretton-gordon says (Letters, June 11), the nuclear threat from Russia is now real and very dangerous. If our deterrence strategy fails, it will require the most urgent reaction.

In order to survive a full pre-emptive attack, we will have to retaliate with overwhelming force within half an hour of detecting Russian weapons. During this time the Prime Minister must, among other things, approve immediate use of our intercontinental nuclear weapons. Capt Brian Whittingham RN (retd) Dorchester