Europe could not handle a Ukrainian refugee crisis right now

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

Ukrainian troops patrol in the town of Novoluhanske, eastern Ukraine, on 19 February (AFP via Getty)

With any military flare-up – aside from death and destruction – millions of Ukrainian refugees will flock to Europe, placing unbearable strain on its political, economic and environmental infrastructures, social cohesion, schools, transportation and health services. This will further entrench poverty and widen inequalities. Both belligerent parties need to de-escalate tensions to avert catastrophe.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob

London

Saving face

President Biden has said he is convinced a Russian attack on Ukraine is imminent. He may be right. But if war is to be averted (and that, surely, is the priority), Vladimir Putin must be allowed to avoid losing face. Would it not have been wiser for Biden and others to suggest that, although the Russians are clearly prepared for such an event, Putin would be commended for his statesmanship if he refrained?

Susan Alexander

South Gloucestershire

Toddler ban

I tend to agree with Anita Slater that it is pathetic to ban children under five from cafes. This does indeed seem a step too far and, of course by default, they are banning parents and carers. This is discrimination of a rather hostile kind and not a user-friendly environment I would want to be part of.

As she states, we are all aware of fractious children who won’t be placated by a sticky bun, but surely that has always been the case and most people are charitable and patient about such strops.

Conversely, they also bring life and animation to their surroundings and can amuse and distract in equal measure.

But it is true that to place this embargo says more about the owners of such an intolerant establishment than the customers who frequent its hallowed environs. Parents and children should be made welcome, they are in libraries and churches so a high street cafe shouldn’t be so precious, and should see the bigger picture to make their establishment child friendly and inclusive, whatever the age of its participants.

Judith A Daniels

Norfolk

Police questionnaire

We are told that the prime minister has submitted his questionnaire about the gatherings he attended in Downing Street and believes he has not broken the law. That is not the point. He told parliament there were no such gatherings during lockdown. He then said there were gatherings but they followed the rules. He then said there were leaving parties but they were work events; subsequently there have been photos showing him with people who were engaged in social activities that were denied to the rest of the population.

The evidence is clear that he has continually twisted the truth to serve his own ends. One wonders how economical he has been with the truth when completing his questionnaire. This is an appalling breach of trust that sullies the government and its reputation internationally. If he cannot be trusted over relatively minor matters, how can we trust his honesty and judgement over national and international matters on which the safety of our citizens and those in other countries depends? Any Tory MP with a shred of decency must recognise that, regardless of the outcomes from the Met inquiry, Boris Johnson has to go for the good of us all.

Graham Powell

Cirencester

Storm Eunice

I would like to say what a magnificent job our front line workers did during the recent storms.

Nobody would wish anybody harm in such treacherous weather conditions but these people stand out – those who went the extra mile yet again. What brilliant work behind the scenes.

Well done everybody.

Geoffrey Brooking

Hampshire