If the West offers nothing but words, Putin will prevail

We know from Putin’s pronouncements that his objective is to recreate the grand Russian Empire of the 1667 Treaty of Andrusovo, extending to Finland. Joe Biden’s insistence that the free world will not defend nations outside NATO is deeply worrying. Poland and Lithuania may sleep easily but the non-NATO lands of Tsarist Russia seem doomed to pan-Slavism.

We refused to arm or assist Jews when they were first terrorised in Nazi Germany, and now we appease fascist Russia; the sins we tolerate are the standards we accept.

Historically, October is the season for popular uprisings in Europe. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at winter’s end with melting snow and mud may stall tanks and supply lines, but without Western engagement more maternity hospitals, homes and schools will be annihilated. Moscow has no intention of imprisoning 40 million Ukrainians or remaining in Kyiv.

Having intimidated the West, Putin will temporarily withdraw, then threaten Georgia, Moldova and Armenia with imminent destruction unless they immediately agree to his suzerainty. And Joe Biden is too insipid to do anything about it.

Greg Jones, Kogarah, NSW

Instead of lauding Ukraine’s President Zelensky and his bold stance, it would be more realistic and better for his country if he were to be encouraged to come to an arrangement with Russia while he has some semblance of a country left. Hubris should play no part in this. All stops should be pulled out to get Zelensky to pay any price to save his people’s lives.

Margaret Downie, Armadale, WA

For more than two weeks, the world has watched with bated breath the destruction of innocents by Putin’s criminal invasion of Ukraine. True, there have been sanctions imposed and offers of material support to assist the invaded in their heroic resistance. But there has been no real attempt by the UN or NATO to swiftly place a bulwark between the invader and the invaded. This is absolutely necessary to halt the horror unfolding.

If Putin’s Russia is allowed to destroy Ukrainian democracy, then other neighbouring democracies needed for Russia’s buffer to the West will be next, because Putin knows the West is not resolute enough to act.

Henry Ergas (“Putin seizes on wavering will of the West”, 11/3) notes the truth of Thucydides’s dictum that it is mutual fear that makes men think twice before starting war. Only if Putin believes his criminal aggression will be punished can it be expected that he will desist.

Indeed, there are grave risks in the necessary concerted action by the West to stop the conflict. But these risks must be taken now if the freedoms so far won are to be retained in the world’s slow but steady progress towards the ­future’s sunny uplands.

Ian Dunlop, Hawks Nest, NSW

Can NATO meet the dreadful challenge posed by Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine? That is the question posed by your editorial (11/3) and Henry Ergas. Sanctions of unprecedented financial force, sending weapons and willingness to give sanctuary to refugees play an undoubted role in assisting the heroic Ukrainian defence of a battered but so far unbowed nation inspiringly led by one of Churchillian measure, Volodymyr Zelensky.

Putin’s original confidence in easy victory must surely be fast sapping. But where, faced by such savagery, is the UN, the body charged with the maintenance of international peace and security? As usual, when most needed, missing in action. Not without cause did a US observer once call the UN a “busted flush”.

John Kidd, Auchenflower, Qld

As for those people who have no connection whatsoever with Ukraine, but get all dressed up in camouflage and travel there to fight: do they realise that their little adventure may involve shooting boy conscripts who are simply doing as they are told by an oppressive government?

Michael Houldsworth, Townsville, Qld

How naive of Putin to think war would be over in a matter of days. Ukrainians were taught a powerful lesson by the Nazi invasion of their homeland in World War II: better to die on your feet than live on your knees. Sadly a lesson still to be absorbed by the West.

George Fishman, Vaucluse, NSW