It took just 21 years for Russia to wait before invading (with the collaboration of Nazi Germany) its neighbour the newly independent Republic of Poland, an action which precipitated World War Two.

Ukraine enjoyed 31 years of independence before being invaded by its neighbour Russia whose premier/dictator asserts that it won’t do the same with its other neighbours. Does this mean that the Baltic republics are safe?

Meanwhile neighbour Moldova, not yet an EU member, is on high alert. The main reason for founding the European Union was to prevent further wars. Does this mean that Russia’s EU neighbours won’t be threatened and that non-members will?

The pathetic response of HM govt. to the Ukrainian refugee crisis and the fact that the Tory government, ruling triumphantly over a Brexitanian con-conspiracy, counts Russian oligarchs among its most generous donors fills me with shivers and shame. I remain so glad to be living in a country which is a member of the EU and which has, despite its hardships under the Covid-19 crisis, shown unconditional solidarity and help towards the Ukrainian people.