In the course of human history there are few transformational events that reshape the world as we know it. Events like the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the 9/11 attacks on the United States. Whether wrapped in hope or despair, these seismic moments had huge ramifications and called on nations to rearticulate the values which underpin democratic, peaceful societies.
Now, we are faced with Putin’s unjustified and unprovoked invasion of sovereign and democratic Ukraine.
We have already seen Putin’s atrocities around the world and his war in Ukraine is a worrying escalation in a long line of hostile state activity. Russia was already identified in the Integrated Review as “the most acute threat to our security” before the invasion of Ukraine.
Crucially we know the war in Ukraine isn’t just unacceptable in the eyes of the international community but also in the eyes of Russian people who have joined in acts of brave domestic demonstration seen around the world. In today’s Russia those who have the audacity to say нет войнe (no war) suffer brutal suppression.
Putin has already lost this war. He will never be able to win the hearts and minds of the Ukrainian people whose resistance has been extraordinary. In the face of Russian aggression, Ukrainians are doing all that they can to defend their families, democracy and nationhood.
I am proud that we continue to support them every step of the way – continuing the British support given to them under Operation Orbital to help build the resilience and capacity of Ukraine’s defences following the Russian annexation of Crimea.
We must not forget however that the misery of this senseless conflict is being felt by the Russian people too.
As the vice of economic sanctions tightens, as companies leave, as queues grow, as journalism is banned and the freedom to speak suppressed even further, one wonders when a post-Soviet generation of Russians who grew up under relative freedom feel increasingly isolated and poorer in an authoritarian pariah state they cannot change.
Putin’s miscalculation has revitalised Ukrainian nationhood and united all of Ukraine against subjugation, but I believe he may have revitalised his own opposition in Russia too.
As we enter another week of this conflict, the economic sanctions that we have brought in against Putin and his inner circle will start to bite even harder. As this takes effect, China will be watching to see what Russia, who President Xi described as their “old friend”, will do next.
China has the power to constrict Putin’s sphere of influence in political terms that we are already choking off in economic terms. One thing that may have surprised China is how quickly the West rallied in support of Ukraine.
The Invasion of Ukraine is another such moment in history that will change the world forever. It has precipitated a shift in the landscape of geopolitical security that has united the West and may yet impact generations to come beyond Ukraine, Russia and Europe.
The heroic defence of Ukraine has shown Putin’s Russia to be a lesser power than it was. Ukrainians have chosen a democratic future underpinned by an independent judiciary, free press and fair elections. Putin’s corruption has tainted every single one of these at home and Ukraine has decisively rejected his example.
I believe that ultimately the Russian people will too as Russia becomes trapped in a cycle of dissent and subjugation, sanctions and hardship.
Presently we cannot foresee how Putin might depart his failed leadership but for all the brutality of his regime, I choose to believe that Russia will one day re-join the free world.
One thing is certain. Putin cannot win and we must not let him. There must be only one outcome for him - facing justice as a war criminal on trial at the Hague.
Stuart Anderson is MP for Wolverhampton South West and a member of the Defence Select Committee.
Read Stuart's full article in the Times Red Box here.