The NATO countries — including the U.S. — will have to become more involved in the war for Ukraine whether they like it or not. The circumstances mirror those at the prelude to the Second World War, when Germany invaded Poland. Then, it was Britain that was Europe’s last holdout against Hitler’s juggernaut. This time it must be Ukraine that holds the line, and it can’t do it alone.

The lesson of history is clear: dictators cannot be stopped by appeasement or negotiation. Putin has no interest whatsoever in ending this war. He has ambitions beyond Ukraine, and is willing to sacrifice literally anything and anyone to get what he wants.

He is a brutal illustration of why those in positions of power who put personal ambition ahead of responsibility are so dangerous; something that everyone should keep in mind when they go to the polls.

C. Roberts

Middlebury