Slava Ukraini, for sure -- but there's more than patriotism at stake
The signing of the UN Charter in San Francisco, on June 26, 1945 As Russia's invasion of Ukraine rolls into its second grim year, we should of course recognise and applaud the extraordinary efforts and sacrifice the Ukrainians have made in defending their country. If there is any glory to be had in such a brutal and unforgiving conflict, it most certainly belongs to them. But we should also recognise and deplore what has not been achieved. Despite warm words of support, the international community has been dilatory in its response, and incremental in its actions. Russian aggression has not been stopped, and the war looks set to drag on, at great cost to Ukraine. Though buttressed by supplies of 'lethal aid' from the West, the Ukrainians have largely been left to fend for themselves. Their allies are not dirtying their boots on the ground. If this were business as usual, just another regional squabble between neighbours over territory and resources, that might be understan