Dear Editor,
I have long been an admirer of the eclectic and individualistic perspective of Simon Jenkins in his many articles, but in his analysis of the Ukraine crisis (see “There is a fair and practical way to avoid war in Ukraine” Guardian 24.01.22), he forgets two things.
Firstly, in criticising NATO expansion to the east after 1990, he must be aware that had NATO not been extended, then there would have been an unstable power vacuum in Eastern Europe which, as any graduate of international relations would have explained, would have been a much more destabilising factor, than maintaining traditional outdated and repressive spheres of influence. It was Poland and her neighbours, who were demanding the protection of NATO against a future aggressive Russia. They set the agenda for expansion, rather than Western governments finding “the opportunity of kicking” a then democratic Russia.
Secondly, Putin is a ruthless opportunist seeking to hold on to power and to his own and his cronies’ wealth as his economy crumbles. He can only do that by playing the aggrieved aggressor, causing havoc in Western countries while bolstering an equally aggressive China with a common energy policy. As with Hitler in the past, he needs to be stopped, not appeased. It is as much the role of the UK, as of any other Western country, big or small, to act collectively to challenge his bluff, especially when other countries such as Germany, might waver. Limited autonomy for Donbas could be an acceptable compromise, but any threat to Ukraine's independence, or any retreat of NATO forces from Poland and the Baltic States, would be a betrayal of democracy and a guarantee of future instability.
Yours faithfully,
Wiktor Moszczynski
Sent to The Guardian 24th January 2022
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