The savage war about to unfold in Europe will have massive consequences for all our lives.
The sanctions we impose on Vladimir Putin ’s gangster government in Moscow will have an effect in time, but they ought to be tighter and more severe.
There is nothing to lose in targeting Putin personally. For too long the West has treated him as a rogue who can be reformed.
Proof that he cannot be is contained in assessments that his special forces are now roaming the streets of Kyiv targeting the democratically elected president of Ukraine with a bullet.
Many Ukrainians, like their president, will stand their ground, but Europe must be prepared for many more to flee from the boot of what will be an inevitable Russian occupation.
As with Afghanistan, where the government finally accepted responsibility for fleeing refugees, the UK must accept the consequences of not tackling Putin earlier and more firmly many years ago.
The Government will no doubt put emphasis on increasing aid to refugees in the countries bordering Ukraine.
But Britain has a substantial Ukrainian exile community and many people will want to be reunited with their relatives rather than wallow in a refugee camp without the anchor of family.
We must open our arms and our borders to Ukrainians and help to mitigate what will become a humanitarian catastrophe in Europe.
Other nations have already said they will accommodate as many refugees as possible.
The UK Government must do all it can to alleviate the suffering of Ukrainians and that includes giving them a safe haven in their hour of need.
Alex the great
The statue of Sir Alex Ferguson unveiled yesterday is a fitting tribute to one of the greatest football managers of all time.
His incredible achievements in the north-east of Scotland, honoured in bronze by Aberdeen FC, led him to Old Trafford and the opportunity to revive Manchester United as a European power.
In a trophy-laden career in Scotland and England he became a managerial giant, known the world over, and one of the most famous Scots on the planet.
It is unlikely anyone will ever match his sustained success on both sides of the Border again.
At the statue unveiling inside Pittodrie it was great to see Sir Alex look so fit and well. Surrounded by adoring Dons fans and legends like Gordon Strachan and Willie Miller, he looked in fine fettle.
The honour bestowed on Sir Alex by Aberdeen FC is richly deserved.
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