THERE have been demonstrations in every major Russian city, and also in neighbouring Belarus, opposing Putin’s attacks on Ukraine.

Tens of thousands of Russians have protested against the war on Ukraine (population 43 million) with letters from their professional organisations, including from doctors and health workers, as well as several dozen Russian women’s organisations.

More than 15,000 IT workers wrote: “We are categorically opposed to the military action that has been started by the armed forces of the Russian Federation on Ukrainian territory.”

Here we must applaud the public demonstrations in cities across Russia, despite many Russians being beaten and arrested for their opposition to Putin’s vicious war against the people of Ukraine.

A defeat of Russia will be a warning to all the Nato countries too, and other imperialist adventurers such as China or USA, and for a safer world for most people.

Although it might not be obvious, getting Nato to impose a “no-fly zone” or any other direct military intervention cannot be a good idea. It is likely to escalate the war and to make it more widespread and dangerous.

This is important because it is only those who are aware that the people’s main enemy is usually at home that will stop this escalating dangerously.

We have to support the Russian people who oppose Putin, the new Czar in waiting.

While a huge, nuclear-armed, country like Russia (population about 146 million) might be expected to impose the dominance of Putin, the popular resistance in Ukraine, combined with dissent at home, may yet topple Russia’s oligarchy.

So Russia, get out of Ukraine – but also no to Nato intervention.

Norman Lockhart

Innerleithen

REMIND me again: what is the point of nuclear weapons? To cause mass destruction, of course.

Yet we all stocked up on nuclear weapons because we reckoned it was good to have a stick as big as the other guy’s so we could properly defend ourselves. Heck, having nuclear weapons would in itself be a deterrent, and prevent bad things happening in the world.

Oh how wrong we were.

Because the very possession of nuclear weapons is stopping us from being proper moral human beings; we’re scared to involve ourselves in other people’s conflict. We are scared to do what we should do. We are scared to help Ukraine in its hour of need.

What have we become? Nuclear cowards, that’s what we have become. Ukraine needs us right now. And right now is the time for the UK and the West to act.

Edward Burns

Glasgow

STEWART McDonald is my MP. I will continue to vote for him because of my support for independence. His political position – be it left, centre or right – is not at present for me a consideration.

I object to the disrespectful way John Baird’s letter (Feb 24) speaks of his career background and in particular his schooling, and his insinuation that it doesn’t qualify McDonald to express an international political viewpoint (It’s almost a Tory or superior attitude by Mr Baird).

I personally don’t agree with MP McDonald’s view that RT should be banned in Britain. All viewpoints or opinions for or against anything should be seen or heard equally. To start banning what we dislike is a danger to democratic process and a dangerous road to embark on.

I wasn’t a regular viewer of RT, but with the Ukraine crisis (I am no supporter of Putin) I wanted to obtain the Russian perspective, which I could only get from RT. Regarding The Alex Salmond Show – which I understand is produced by Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh – despite Salmond’s claim that he had full editorial control, I felt at the time that he had made a bad political judgement for whatever reason.

The political reality and consequences of the choice he made is that he has damaged his leadership of and the political aim of the Alba Party in Scotland.

Bobby Brennan

Glasgow

I AM delighted that the writer of Wednesday’s long letter has received exemplary care from the NHS In ERI and is doing well. It echoes the level of care my husband and I have received from hospitals in NHS Tayside.

However, as it would appear that Ms Pearson is 63, her claim that she would have to pay for her prescriptions if she stayed in England is erroneous. Although it has been rumoured that NHS England may start charging those between 60 and the national retirement age for their prescriptions, this has not yet been implemented.

I am not surprised that the writer believes she would be charged as it is something that is often stated in social media etc. The fact that prescriptions are free in Scotland for ALL is quite rightly claimed as a benefit of living here. However, claiming that over 60s in England pay is currently wrong and easily disproved. The arguments independence supporters make should be accurate, as even small errors will be pounced upon by our opponents and used against us. It could mean that wavering voters will doubt other claims even if they are accurate and could cost us votes.

Kathleen Jack

Blairgowrie