Support for Ukraine

SIR – Daniel Johnson is right to warn that Russia jeopardises the peace of Europe (News Focus, March 17).

Russian aggression in Ukraine is a serious threat to the whole of Europe. Young people did not experience the old Iron Curtain. It was very bad for one half of Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, the Baltic and Balkan States.

Luckily at that time the United States, Britain and France had sufficient forces in Europe for it to be evident to Russia that there would be a full-scale war if it pushed further.

No one predicted the collapse of Soviet Russia. We enjoyed the peace dividend, but Russia is back – the same monster, poking us with a stick.

The first duty of any government is to defend the nation, but our Armed Forces are so depleted that even the Chief of the General Staff has warned that we are at a 1937 moment, which means, based on experience, that thousands will soon be killed and wounded.

Like Stalin, Vladimir Putin sacrifices his own people without concern for their lives. We do not know why many Russians accept this state of affairs, but they do. The Ukrainians do not. Ukraine wishes to be an open, liberal democracy like ours.

Our concern now is our safety. Voters should ask candidates at the upcoming election whether he or she will support a massive increase in our defences to meet the new threat. We must give Ukraine the materiel to sustain its war effort and win on our behalf. If it works, it will be money well spent. If it fails, we will be at war – but we will have at least tried to secure ourselves.

Sir James Pickthorn Bt London SW6