All power to the people and President of Ukraine

While a comedian in his former life, in his political life Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is showing that he takes leadership by example very seriously. When Zelensky was offered US help to exit Ukraine he declined, saying “I need ammunition, not a ride”. He’s a courageous hero. So too Iryna Tsvila of the National Guards Rapid Response Brigade – killed while helping to defend Kyiv, and the 13 Ukrainian soldiers defending a Black Sea island from air and sea bombardment, reportedly telling an officer on board a Russian navy warship to “go f..k yourself” when asked to surrender. Not to mention, the residents joining the resistance, the Molotov cocktail makers and the new mums giving birth in subways. As the country’s unofficial motto says, glory to the heroes.

Mandy Macmillan, Singleton, NSW

Seeing Volodymyr Zelensky valiantly striding out to lead his people reminded me of Churchill’s quote, “Nations that go down fighting, rise again. Those that surrender tamely are finished”. What a contrast he is to the tame response of the Western alliance.

David Cook, Drummoyne, NSW

Henry Ergas’s realistic appraisal of the current Ukraine situation ended on the depressing note of an indecisive and purposeless West (“West has no idea how to handle threat of real war”, 26-27/2).

Ergas is right in pointing to destabilising national power struggles and their domino effect. Simplistic terms of black and white are no longer relevant in defining Western democracy and Eastern communist ideology. Today’s complex systems have no pattern. Like the sea in constant flux, treacherous rips threaten safety and stability.

If Putin thinks the West will not risk its citizens’ ire at economic austerity, he must be proven wrong. With heightened awareness of global warming, there is acknowledgment of excess, indulgence and wastage, injurious to the planet and human health. This is an ideal time for leaders to convey a message of stringency and encourage reining in expenditure.

Combined Western efforts to impose potent economic measures would be an effective counterbalance to Putin’s intentions.

Roslyn Smith, Middle Park, Qld

With the war Russia is waging against Ukraine, Russia is now being excluded from the international payment transaction system, SWIFT.

The West treats Putin like a simpleton, without regard that he would have had the foresight to insulate himself and Russia from these actions before undertaking this war. The West needs to start getting real about this conflict and its current list of sanctions will have little impact as Russia will extend its trade with China.

Anthony Anderson, Templestowe Lower, Vic

It is a pity that the Europeans did not call Vladimir Putin’s bluff. They should have offered to not give the Ukraine NATO membership in return for Russia retreating. That would have taken away his main excuse for the invasion. But as it stands now it is clear that he just wanted to take over the Ukraine – no matter what. His view of history, given as partial rationale for the invasion, simply does not stack up.

Where does that leave the rest of the world? With a tyrant who is likely to become more demanding and dangerous. Economic sanctions are a good response, but they may unfortunately not be sufficient to avoid direct confrontation at some stage.

Michael Schilling, Millswood, SA

We live in disturbing times, and Chris Kenny writes an honest expose of the consequences of a federal Labor government (“The election just got harder for the ALP, and rightly so”, 26-27/2).

Scott Morrison may not be greatly liked, but in his hands this country will be in better shape for any conflict involving China. And, by all accounts, Labor could not be trusted to stand up to the bullying of President Xi Jinping, because Labor eschews any criticism of China.

As we watch the tragedy of Ukraine from the safety of our homes, that war, as illegal and lethal as portrayed, would be nothing compared to China invading Taiwan. With a weak leader in the United States strengthening China’s ambitions, we need in this nation the strong leadership of Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton, and the military experience of Jim Molan.

Lesley Beckhouse, Queanbeyan, NSW