More than sanctions needed to counter Putin’s threats

it is not often I agree completely with Sir Bernard Ingham, but his contribution to the Opinion page (The Yorkshire Post, September 3) could not be faulted as far as I am concerned.

The title said it all: “Nato must discover its steel in a new age of fear”.

To that you could have included the EU or UN.

It is a sad fact that people such as Vladimir Putin only see weakness and opportunity in the current vacillations and the weak, disjointed responses to his actions and threats.

Whilst not advocating 
direct military involvement, we need more than the current sanctions that Putin and his cronies wear like badges of honour.

We need to at least show that force is available, and also provide tangible military aid and equipment to a beleaguered neighbour.

If not he will simply take every opportunity to build his influence in the east of Ukraine, weakening the whole country, whilst driving a Russian highway South to Crimea and claim the Sea of Azov, and drive one north to the Baltic.

Debating the semantics of allies, partners and members will seem pretty pathetic at that point.

From: Michael J Robinson, Park Lane, Berry Brow, Huddersfield.

Sir Bernard Ingham tells us that 30,000 reservist troops are required to replace the lost 20,000 regular troops, 
and that only 140 have so 
far been recruited (The 
Yorkshire Post, September 3).

Last week we learned 
from the Mayor of Calais 
that they are struggling to deal with thousands of predominantly young men attempting to get into the 
UK hoping to benefit from 
what they believe are the 
greater benefits available 
here.

Whatever benefits they 
will be entitled to as immigrants or refugees will not have 
been earned by any 
previous social welfare contributions.

I wonder what would be 
the effect of telling would-be UK residents that they 
will first be required to sign up for two years in our Armed Forces, thereby earning residence by the contribution 
of their service to the UK, 
whilst helping by reducing 
the Armed Forces’ 
shortfall.

One way or another, the 
move might deal with the problem of the throng at Calais.