SIR - As Putin unleashes his full military might on Ukraine and its people, the Western powers stand watching, gripped with fear. The path of diplomacy yielded contempt from the Kremlin and simply confirmed to Putin that the invasion and ultimate conquest of Ukraine was all in a day’s work.

The greatest enemy to civilisation is fear. Western powers see the onslaught of Ukraine as a far-removed event that does not affect the rest of the democratic world. There is universal political condemnation of Putin’s invasion. Lots of words, wringing of hands, thumping of tubs, but ultimately precious little else!

Ukraine has been left out in the wilderness. Putin has seeded fear into the minds of the West through his nuclear threat.

Throughout its turbulent history, the Ukrainian nation has shown its bravery and determination to protect its identity, its land, its culture, language and faith. In the face of a merciless adversary, the people of Ukraine will not surrender; their display of heroic patriotism shines like a beacon of hope.

As we stand at the precipice of disaster for the world, I appeal to the Western Democratic Powers to stand with Ukraine shoulder to shoulder. United, we can defeat tyranny and oppression.

Jerry Gumeniuk, Rosse Field Park, Bradford