Despots bring about their own downfall

MARGARET Phelps (Western Mail, May 7) says the Ukraine war could turn nuclear if Vladimir Putin has nothing to lose.

He has already lost a lot by attacking Ukraine.

How can he profit by conquering a country whose cities are reduced to ruins with a population who have reason to hate him?

The nuclear alternative would be unspeakably horrific with devices capable of devastating an area the size of France.

Despots bring about their own downfall, notable examples being Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin and more recently Romania’s Ceausescu.

Stalin, known as Uncle Joe during the Second World War when Russia was our ally, was responsible for the deaths of millions of his own people.

As a youth he thought of becoming a priest.

I once read that when he was dying he was terrified in recalling what he had done and asked to be

buried with a cross.

Putin is a member of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Might he also end his days with similar remorse?

Douglas Davies Porthcawl