Marion McKeone: As Ukraine burns, the West’s failure to rein in Putin comes home to roost

Decades of bad decisions have left the Western powers effectively helpless to intervene in the unfolding horror in eastern Europe

Ukrainian servicemen ready themselves to repel a Russian attack in the Lugansk region on Friday. Picture: Getty

The wider consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are starting to resonate, as Western governments ponder the likely impact of sanctions on the global economy and the months and years of uncertainty and danger that lie ahead.

Even as Ukraine is attacked by Russian tanks and pounded by missiles, the Western alliance is counting the cost of decades of missed opportunities and mishandling of Russia.

Vladimir Kara Murza, a writer, human rights activist and former ...