Talking has to be better than war

Sir, – The immediate response to the missile strike on Polish soil with breaking news alerts such as “Russian missile lands in Nato member Poland in an escalation of the conflict” brought shudders of dread in countries worldwide.

Thankfully when rational thinking was required the experienced head of President Biden urged caution until all the facts were known.

Knee-jerk responses could trigger nuclear annihilation. Vlad is bad but not mad and is well aware real nuclear war games would result only in losers.

His desire was to return Ukraine to Russian control as in the days of his beloved USSR not conquer the world, a task even he knows is beyond the mightiest leader. He of course is the root of the problem, pursuing his increasingly futile attempt to annex a neighbour, so that when missiles fill the skies those intended for defence sometimes veer off course with, as in this case, tragic consequences.

World leaders must realise words not weapons will end the warfare; heed the words of Churchill “to jaw-jaw is always better than to war-war”, there will be no military victory in this needless conflict.

Ivan W Reid. Kirkburn, Laurencekirk.