This is an editorial comment prepared by the editorial team of commonspace.eu
In front of the eyes of the whole world President Putin is conducting a genocide against the Ukrainian people. Having one week ago questioned the very existence of Ukraine, he subsequently unleashed the whole military might of Russia against it. The heroic scenes of resistance across the whole of Ukraine has been simply inspirational, and has forced governments across the world to step up their response against this naked violence and aggression.
The humanitarian cost is already very high. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes and are now refugees in neighbouring countries. Hundreds have died, and the numbers are likely to increase sharply
Over the next hours and days we expect a concerted Russian attack against Ukraine's capital Kyiv, and its second largest city, Kharkiv. For sure the Ukrainian people will resist gallantly. However, heroism on its own does not win battles. But the dignity and resilience shown by the Ukrainian people has already ensured that despite setbacks that may occur in the next days this war will be won by Ukraine sooner or later.
There are bigger issues at stake. President Putin's Russia has become a rogue state. It is the country with the second largest arsenal of nuclear weapons. Quite where Mr Putin will stop is not clear. But he must be stopped. The glorious Russian people do not need what is coming to them as a result of the heavy sanctions because of their misguided leader. They, and particularly their elite, need to find a way to end this tragedy before worse happens.
In the meantime those responsible for this genocide in Ukraine must be held to account.
The world must show unity of purpose in rejecting Putin's aggression and in holding him and his immediate circle accountable. Those who end up on the wrong side of history will be eternally ashamed of their mistake.
