Putin should be wooing western Europe – not isolating Russia

Letters to the editor: our readers share their views. Please send your letters to letters@independent.co.uk

Russian President Vladimir Putin (AP)

In addition to any other mistakes that president Putin might be making in regard to his latest opportunistic venture, one could argue that he should instead be wooing western Europe with the intention of becoming a part of it, rather than isolating Russia for the long term.

Russia, geographically, is largely European but, despite its large land mass, has a relatively small economy and could benefit greatly by strengthening its links to Europe. But, more importantly, it greatest long-term threat is China. China is much greater economically than Russia and, as demonstrated elsewhere (eg Tibet, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Pacific and Africa), its slow but sure geographic reach grows steadily.

Mongolia, currently a Russian “vassal” state, could indeed be compared to the situation of Ukraine in that, at the right moment (perhaps while Russia had 60 per cent of its forces in the west), China could simply walk in. Indeed, children in Chinese schools are taught that Mongolia is really a part of China. No wonder the Chinese president had a broad grin on his face when he met with Putin recently.

Michael du Pré

Marlow

Police overhaul

An annual appraisal system in the police can be updated to include documentation of service or personal activity which shows a professional’s evidence of individual effort countering misogyny and racism – either by audit or simply by documenting ideal practice behaviour in looking after women, and excluding racist influence in activities.

There is a useful analogy in how medical appraisal was compulsorily introduced after Shipman and the Bristol Inquiry, and included demonstration of individual effort on behalf of patients as partners in their healthcare.

This should be a basic requirement in improving police culture.

Jane Flint

Bridgewater

Andy Marsh (‘To change the culture of policing, we must invest in strong leadership at every rank’, 13 February) speaks of leading the police force as being a privilege. Quite so, but he could also have mentioned that being any police officer is likewise a privilege. We are told that Cressida Dick had the support of members of the rank and file because she was always there to support them. That, however, cuts both ways.

The inappropriate behaviour of various officers, and the silence of those who tolerate it, displays not only an abuse of that privilege but, perhaps worse still, their betrayal of Cressida Dick who was entitled not to have her position undermined by their bad behaviour. Like Cressida Dick, they should  ask themselves whether they are in the right job and follow her out of the door.

Christopher Yaxley

Shrewsbury

Johnson on another jaunt

As far as I know, politicians cannot use taxpayers’ money to canvas support. Yet we have a prime minister who spends an inordinate amount of time travelling the country with his team of vanity photographers canvassing support to anyone who will listen.

His latest jaunt to Scotland to ostensibly announce two new freeports – which had already been agreed but the announcement delayed to coincide with his visit – is just the latest such example, all at a time of unprecedented national crises.

It seems that the re-election of Boris Johnson is this man’s main, if not only, concern.

G Forward

Stirling

Net zero stalling already

Net zero progress is already stalling months after Cop26. The aim is to reach a stable 1.5C above pre-industrial levels by 2050. Too many in industry and in government believe that we can get to, say, 1.4C and then a technological solution will solve all our problems.

Perhaps there will be such solution/s. After all, if we can seriously think about terra-forming Mars, then why not here? But we should not be aiming to reach 1.5C; we can already see the disastrous changes at approximately 1.1C.

Roland Metcalf

Manchester

Fashion for older women

I couldn’t agree more with Jenny Eclair (‘Older women have quite simple fashion needs – what a shame so few designers actually care’, 15 February). Let’s have more “normal size” women on media fashion pages. Why aren’t there older women as fashion editors alongside the young ones? It’s dispiriting looking at most weekend newspaper magazines.

Susan Maude

Address supplied

We’re not all luvvies

A very brief note to Amanda Baker (‘Blokes failing upwards’, Letters, 14 February). Amanda, I agree with just about every letter you write. However, I have to challenge your “luvvy London” label. Lawrence Fox was known for being in Lewis, which was on national television. Many outside of “luvvy London” will have heard of him.

London is huge and diverse, economically, culturally, politically, ethnically and the rest. We’re not all “luvvy”. We’re not all loaded. We’re not all the same.

Beryl Wall

London W4