Further to a meeting of people from all over Europe, this article contains a very brief assessment of the situation regarding Ukraine as seen at the current moment, plus a range of initiatives that people can conduct individually or collectively.

Slow death, sudden death or peace?

Ever since Liz Truss allowed Putin to open up the question of nuclear bombs and mutually assured destruction, the western world has been paralysed by self interest instead of facing Putin down. Whilst it is wise to be cautious about Putin’s decision making skills, it is wiser to not be paralysed by them. Here are the broad range of options on the table:

Slow death

Allow Putin to take Ukraine or a part of it : Putin is emboldened and continues his march through Europe. Result : The world gets nuked eventually aka SLOW DEATH.

Sudden death

Allow the current state of too little, too late sanctions runs the risk of making Putin think the West is not united. Result : The potential for WW III grows a step closer aka SUDDEN DEATH.

Peace

The West unites and faces Putin down on every level. This might mean NATO destroying Putin’s war machine on the march into Kiev etc. Result : PEACE.

I realise that these positions are far too simplistic and discrete, nonetheless accommodation and avoidance by the West may result in the same terrible outcomes in the short or longer terms. That makes them equivalent. There are also wider moral and ethical questions that arise from an invasion of a country which was not an aggressor.

Putler
Two cheeks of the same arsehole

What must happen?

Every day, sanctions must be ratcheted up to the point that they weaken the Russian war machine and affect the will of the Russian people to resist. Each and every country must take some pain as sanctions are not surgical devices. If we want to survive Russia they are essential.

NATO and UN must take decisive action. It is justified and essential – Russia have made an unprovoked attack on Ukraine. They have also used illegal weapons. Ukraine may fall without NATO involvement, then Putin moves on to the rest of Europe. Write to NATO via mailbox.ypp@hq.nato.int A no fly zone must be considered again. By not doing it, world leaders are committing Ukraine to sudden death and the world to slow death. Both are death.

What can we do here in UK?

Find existing actions at Stand With Ukraine. Find protests and marches at activism.

Our own Government’s offer for refugees is beyond pathetic. Write to Priti Patel to point this out in your own way via withammp@parliament.uk

Write to UK MP’s about Russian Oligarchs to ask them to do more. Some examples of targets below. Click on this link to write to them. Sign the petition Support Ukraine.

Here is a list of Russian billionaires and their ties to the Tories. Also read and act upon Chatham House – The Tory kleptocracy problem.

Support EU Flag Mafia who are taking a van to Ukraine to take supplies and bring back refugees. Send money via PayPal to ital.seeds@virgin.net

With thanks to June, Sonja, Richard, Elwyn, Judith, Lisa, Alan, Roger, Adrian, Greg, Irina, Simon, Heike, Geor, Daphne.

NATO must support Ukraine
NATO must support Ukraine