Robert Fox Ukraine's survival is far from certain, we must give them better weapons

The destruction is unlikely to stop given Putin’s strange danse macabre in his fight for the survival of his rule

SIR Geoffrey Nice KC, who led the prosecution against Slobodan Milošević of Yugoslavia, has called for the prosecution of Vladimir Putin for war crimes against the population of Ukraine. Not that the move has much prospect of immediate success. The prosecutor at the International War Crimes Tribunal at The Hague has demurred from even registering Sir Geoffrey’s motion.

The move has real significance, in practice and principle. Though Putin himself is never likely to appear in court, the indictment enters the judicial record, the collective memory and on what should be the conscience of the world. In practical terms it should galvanise the alliance of Western and liberal powers to ensure the survival of Ukraine, which is by no means certain with the prospects of further fighting, bombing and violence in 2023.

For Britain this has particular importance. It should encourage the UK with its immediate allies to redouble their efforts to back the defence of Ukraine — especially as another major offensive by a new Russian ground force is expected on the anniversary of the initial invasion next month.