Dear Editor,

What started as a dispute between two closely related neighbouring countries has escalated into a very dangerous situation. It is also responsible for much of our £20 billion financial ‘black hole’.

Putin has been driven mad by the EU and NATO gradually gaining member countries closer to the Russian border. He would prefer Ukraine to remain neutral, so that NATO is not placed right along the Russia/Ukraine border.

Zelenski is determined to join the EU and NATO in order to benefit from the investment and freedoms that its neighbours, particularly Poland, has gained from membership.

Zelenski has emerged as the most powerful world leader, with the ability to extract vast quantities of money and ammunition from any country. No world leader seems able to refuse his requests.

Putin and Zelenski are equally determined and will fight to the death. The resulting cost of human lives is unforgivable.

An internet search reveals the UK has committed eye-watering sums of money to Ukraine. Presently the figure is £12.7 billion, and that does not include the cost of providing for 222,000 refugees living in the UK. Taxpayers have provided £7.6 billion in military assistance and will pay a further £3 billion a year indefinitely.

The UK taxpayers’ non-military commitments to the people in Ukraine is £5 billion. Details of costs are available on-line.

The internet does not list the ongoing cost of supporting 222,000 refugees in the UK. However, local authorities receive £10,500 per refugee, extra for school age children. Households hosting a refugee receive £350 a month. The housing costs increase when refugees move to their own home. They also receive benefits, healthcare and education.

If Putin and Zelenski can come to an agreement, maybe we can begin to fill the black hole and fix our own crumbling economy.

Susan Clarkson, Ryde