Putin’s aggression is not a history lesson but raw power

How do the ordinary people in Russia feel about Vladimir Putin using Russian youth as cannon fodder, because that is what they become invading Ukraine (“Putin aims for knockout blow”, 2/3)? Their future is in the hands of a madman. Look at the war in Afghanistan and what success the Russian military achieved there.

Unless strong action is taken now, we run the real risk of a nuclear exchange or at the least extensive use of another terror device almost as bad – that horrifying weapon, the thermobaric missile. There are reports that Russia has used one in Ukraine.

Does anybody seriously think an agreement made years ago between presidents Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev should have any impact now, in our changed world, on free democratic nations that wish to join NATO? Those who accept this proposition as part of the excuse Putin is using to invade Ukraine are seriously deluded.

Putin’s aims are not only to restore “Mother Russia” to its former glory days, if there ever was such a thing. It is power he is after, power to grab all the territory he can while Western nations are mired in weakness, stupid wokeness and the destruction wrought by the Covid pandemic.

Julie Tadman, Wamuran, Qld

The saying “Cometh the hour, cometh the man” must surely apply to the courageous President of Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky’s leadership in staying with his people and leading his nation from the front during its hour of greatest peril is truly inspirational. The world is seeing a powerful example of dynamic, selfless leadership and literal courage under fire.

Peter Curtis, Werribee South, Vic

Have you seen the movie about a Jewish lawyer turned stand-up comedian who becomes president of his nation and hero of the West when he confronts the might of a military superpower? No? Fact is stranger than fiction.

George Fishman, Vaucluse, NSW

In 2014 Russia annexed Crimea, a part of Ukraine. After the usual protests and sanctions, Russia essentially got away with it. This sent a message. Now Russia invades Ukraine. If Russia gets away with it again, another threshold will be crossed. This will have serious implications for our region, especially for the issue of Taiwan. After all, Ukraine is a sovereign nation, whereas Taiwan is widely recognised as part of China.

Howard Ong, Rossmoyne, WA

Intriguing comment by your Washington correspondent Adam Creighton that “the attack on Ukraine has been a political godsend for Democrats” (1/3).

In a sane world, one would have thought the response – or lack of response – displayed by the US President and commander-in-chief would have had led to the opposite conclusion.

Ian Kent, Renmark, SA

It is evident that the major weakness in the West’s financial attack on Russia is the latter’s ability to continue to raise revenue from exports of oil and gas. Indeed, this represents an area of considerable vulnerability on the part of European countries (particularly Germany) and logic suggests that Putin would be more than ready to use Russia’s contribution to the global availability of oil and gas as a bargaining chip.

It recently has been reported that there has been considerable progress in discussions in Vienna with Iran in respect to the matter of restricting nuclear developments in that country. Interestingly, Iran is in global terms the third largest holder of oil reserves and the second largest holder of gas reserves.

In the current context, however, Iran’s contribution to global supplies of oil and gas is severely restricted by sanctions imposed on it. It is estimated that Iran has the capacity to produce 3.8 million barrels of oil per day, the majority available for export. If this were to become available on the world market once again, it would go some way towards balancing Russia’s export volumes of 7.6 million barrels per day.

Viewed from this perspective, it would be very useful if the negotiations in Vienna could expeditiously proceed to a point of resolution so Iran’s production of oil and gas could once again become available to European consumers.

Bill Pannell, Dalkeith, WA

Just imagine if all the Russian soldiers refused to fight, it’s easy if you try.

Rick Drewer, Gawler East, SA