Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have acted as pilots for the last four years. Their resistance to the Russian invasion, supported by the United States, European Union, UK and several other countries and states, has been the defence of free expression and democratic elections. Ukraine is not a model state any more than the United States or the United Kingdom are. At present it acts for and symbolises what ‘The West’ fought for in two horrendous World Wars – permission to choose broadly how to live to ensure peace and civility.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) was formed and maintained as a result of the post WWII threats that the disintegration of the wartime alliances might have brought about. Over seventy years of comparative peace were the rewards of its vigilance and persistence.
Russia poses a threat greater than it did post WWII. What pact President Putin has with the United States or any other country is impossible to tell. That it now appears as though there are some, is beyond question. Russia’s long border with contiguous countries is a lasting threat since the rumoured ambitions to reform the Soviet Union seem to be correct.
The defence of Ukraine so far has depended on support from the United States and the European Union plus some other countries. That support looks to be declining. The United States is pressing Ukraine to surrender territory to Russia. Where the pressure to exit the desire to join NATO came from is unclear. Did the USA at least agree with it? The decision may facilitate a peace treaty.
If it does it will be the equivalent of total capitulation. The concept of territorial integrity for Ukraine will be gone forever. Europe will be wrestling with the demand for economic growth at the same time as the demand to re-arm for self defence and possible defence of countries bordering Russia. This will inevitably lead to WWIII, probably involving nuclear weapons and certainly cataclysmic disruption. The world does not need this as it tries to cope with climate disaster and AI transformation of what a human being is.
The world is behaving as though nobody gives a damn about morality or ethics.
“And this you can know—fear the time when Manself will not suffer and die for a concept, for this one quality is the foundation of Manself, and this one quality is man, distinctive in the universe.” John Steinbeck (The Grapes of Wrath)
I believe that Steinbeck is right.
Is this the moment to live up to our distinction?
Good morning
John Bittleston
Whatever my or anyone else’s views, your views matter just as much. Could you please take a moment to express them now at [email protected]?
16 December 2025
