But this time round, I am surprised to find myself nodding in somewhat reluctant agreement.

His recollections of the Russo-Ukrainian war which followed the Revolution of February 2014 are similar to those recorded by Wikipedia´s Euro-Maidan article. There has never been any doubt that the modern arena of central European Slav politics has been highly complex and heavily influenced by the policies enforced by the major combatants in two world wars. What has happened in the past ten years reflects this and offers a precedent for any possible negotiations to bring the present disastrous conflict to an end.

Where Mr. Clare strikes a chord of agreement is the immense extent to which the U.S.A. has influenced policies. These should have remained solely those of an independent EU which, quite possibly, could extend peacefully to an eventual inclusion of both Ukraine and Russia in its membership. This is not so unfeasible as it may currently seem. There are sound reasons to believe that a future NATO could consist only of the north and central Americas plus the UK with a genuine European block counterbalancing the powers of the East.

Be that as it may, the Ukrainian nation free of the U.S. yoke is far more likely to return to a state of truly democratic liberalism which may contribute to the vastly more important battles for human survival and dignity in the 21st century.

by email, Robert Cavaleiro, Tomar