Putin will only end this war if his terms are agreed

Letter of the day

- Dr Barry Clayton, via email

Ever since Putin invaded Ukraine three years ago and set off a war that has already led to tens of thousands of dead and wounded soldiers and civilians, a number of things have been conspicuously apparent.

First, Putin, as he made very clear in his book, is intent on making Ukraine once more part of Russia.

He has never got over the collapse and disintegration of the Soviet Union; 'the worst day of my life', he says. He will never rest until Russia is again recognised as a superpower.

Second, this war involves other major key issues that are being kept under wraps.

The most important one is the steady rise of Communist China as the next superpower alongside the USA.