In the early hours of last Thursday morning I received the call with the news we had all dreaded: a Russian invasion of Ukraine was underway.
The U.K. and US had repeatedly warned of the risk but nothing can prepare one for the horrific reality of a “war of choice” being conducted on European soil against a free people.
In the summer I was privileged to meet President Zelensky. He is a man of great warmth and charisma, I could not though foresee that within months he would also be a war leader who would not only rally his country but the world. Nor, I imagine, did he. He simply wanted his nation to be allowed to live in peace, to choose their own place in the world and create a better country for their children.
The occasion I met the President was the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s freedom. They are a people that are hugely proud of their long history and even more proud of their independent future. I know that the vast majority of those that I have met on my visits to Ukraine will now be in arms defending their capital, their people, their families.
We have over several years trained 22,000 Ukrainian soldiers and the anti-tank weapons we have continued to deliver to the Ukrainian Army are having a huge impact.
Russia has an overwhelming superiority in numbers and materiel but can never have expected to meet such determined opposition from so many that love their country and love their freedom. No one seeing the footage from Ukraine can imagine the spirit of opposition to this vicious invasion ever being crushed – you cannot crush the spirit of an entire people.
Nor could Russia ever have expected the depth of global reaction to their illegal act. Those countries who had been assured days before that no invasion was planned have joined so many from Iceland to Singapore in sanctioning Russia. Russian interest rates have climbed to 20 per cent, the Rouble fell 40 per cent, inflation has climbed to 60 per cent. Activities from Eurovision to international football are being closed to Russia as it becomes a pariah state.
The tragedy is that we have no row with the Russian people who will suffer – the fury of the world is directed at the Kremlin who try to control every message that gets to their people.
The economic impact of sanctions on Russia will also be felt in this country and throughout the world but it is nothing like the high price being paid for freedom by so many in Ukraine.
