Ukraine peace talks: ‘Geographical distance no protection’

PETER Rickaby’s criticism of Keir Starmer for offering troops to help protect Ukraine in the event of any peace agreement because it is a ‘far away country’ is unhelpful and unrealistic (Countries near Ukraine need to step forward – Letters, February, 20).

Six European countries besides Russia border Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and Belarus.

Moldova is reckoned to be the second poorest country in Europe with a population of less than 2½ million inhabitants, and part of its territory is also currently occupied by Russian troops.

Belarus, like Russia itself, is a pariah state headed by Alexander Lukashenko, a true dictator. Since last month, he is in his sixth term of office as President with 86.8 per cent of the vote.

Naturally, his fellow dictator Vladimir Putin immediately congratulated him on his ‘solid victory’, while Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov assured us all that it had been ‘an absolutely legitimate, well organised and transparent election’ and slamming ‘the voices that sound from the West’.

The other four nations bordering Ukraine are all members of NATO anyway and, like the UK, bound by treaty to assist any other member state that is attacked.

Most parts of Europe have been attacked and/or occupied by pariah states, over the last hundred or so years, including Russia itself, within the living memory of their older inhabitants.

There was little fun time for anyone in Europe between 1939 and 1945. Geographical distance was no protection then and even less now.

Tony Lawton,

The Old Rectory,

Skelton, York

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United European front is needed to confront Russia

BEFORE making his comments (‘Countries near Ukraine need to step forward’) Peter Rickaby should have read the Holocaust poem by Pastor Martin Niemoller entitled First They Came.

It speaks of how ‘they came’ for the Communists, then the Socialists, next the Trade Unionists, then the Jews – and no one spoke out.

A united European front is needed to confront the Russian expansionist threat. If Ukraine falls all the old Eastern bloc countries will fall; it’s too late to speak up when the Soviet forces face us from across the Channel.

D M Deamer,

Penleys Grove Street,

Monkgate, York

…TRUMP accuses President Zelensky of Ukraine of being a dictator, next he will be telling us Putin is the godfather of democracy…

Peter Rickaby,

West Park,

Selby

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Week of events in York to mark International Women’s Day

EACH year local volunteers get together to co-ordinate a programme of events to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8.

York International Women’s Week 2025 runs from March 3 – 9 with a wide-ranging programme of more than 40 events.

They include talks, crafting, open mics and comedy workshops, music and tap dancing, clothes swops, woodland activities, theatre performances, reusable feminine hygiene sewing, and patchworking as part of a global peace project. Topics range across climate matters internationally and locally, women’s stories from Palestine, travelling in wild places, making space for women and girls in parks, wellness, cyber safety and the effect of disability and gender on health & social care. Networking opportunities include for women in business or while pregnant, end-of-life planning.

Most events are in step-free venues with accessible toilets and all organisers are willing to help with access where they can. Whilst much has been achieved since the first an annual ‘Women’s Day’ in 1910, there is still considerable work to be done every day of every year in every part of the world.

Browse the programme at www.yorkwomen.org.uk, @YorkWomen social media; printed programmes across the city, or contact us – 01904 702060, [email protected].

York International Women’s Week Coordinating Group

c/o Centre for Applied Human Rights

6 Innovation Close

York