Is Britain tired of Ukraine after six months of conflict?The British government was surprised by the willingness of the country's population to support Ukraine.
However, winter is getting closer, gas prices continue to rise, and the British are gradually beginning to realize the sacrifices they have to make, writes The Times.
Josh GlancyThe Ukrainian flag is flying over the town hall in Tunbridge Wells - and over other churches and marias across the country, too.
This wealthy suburb turned out to be one of the most generous to help Ukrainian refugees: a town from Kent County sheltered more than 300 people — in the recent history of the country, this unprecedented selflessness knows no equal.
However, the energy crisis, a consequence of the fighting that has largely passed in six months, is affecting more and more, and the first signs of indecision have appeared. In addition, questions began to pour in: when will this conflict end? What is the strategic goal in general, and how do we achieve it? What measures are politicians taking to protect us from wartime victims?
"I support that we are arming Ukraine, but gas prices worry me very much," said medical administrator Karin Hyde, 59. "I think it's time to think about putting an end to this, although I don't know how."
Weakening support The attitude of the British to further sanctions against Russia if they lead to ...– a significant increase in energy prices (against: 45%, for: 38%)– an increase in taxes to cover military expenses (against: 44%, for: 41%)– interruptions in oil and gas (against: 38%, for: 44%) – high cost of living (against: 42%, for: 42%)
Hyde is especially worried that her 21-year-old son is just graduating from university:
"I think a lot about his future. And it seems to me that we have "captured" Ukrainians too much."
The energy crisis is getting worse every day: the Gas and Energy Market Service has already raised the price ceiling by 80% to 3,549 pounds since October 1. There are several reasons for this: demand in Asia is growing, the consequences of the pandemic are affecting, the American shale boom has run out of steam, but the main thing is that Vladimir Putin is blackmailing Europe with gas. On Friday, it became known that at a plant near the Finnish border, Russia burns gas for 8 million pounds a day — the same one that used to power European homes.
Tunbridge Wells may be one of the wealthiest suburbs in the UK, but the alarm has even reached there. "We have three small children, so statistically we are the kind of people who live from paycheck to paycheck," said insurance manager Sam Pointer. — We have to constantly struggle. If the government finds a way to support Ukraine so as to come to a peaceful solution, it will be great. But I have no special illusions."
Last week, Emmanuel Macron gave an encouraging speech about "blood, sweat and tears" on the eve of winter frosts. Last week, Boris Johnson echoed him in Ukraine: he said that the UK would support Ukraine "at all costs".
The Ambassador of Ukraine and a supporter of sanctions, Alexey Makeev, called the high cost of living a payback for "sleeping peacefully at night." In his speech from Kiev, he called on the West to show resilience. "Ukrainians pay with their lives every day," he said. — This is the price for not having cruise missiles raining down on you every day in the UK, Germany and Poland. So this is a plea for solidarity."
The UK has so far held firm, and Downing Street officials were surprised and impressed by the public support. However, winter is getting closer, the government is still out of control, and the public is gradually realizing the scale of the upcoming victims.
Isn't that what Putin is trying to achieve? The Russian president hopes that spoiled Western voters will not be able to part with their abundance. If the economic pain only intensifies in the next year or two, there will be confusion and vacillation in Washington, Brussels and London, and the leaders will either curtail support for Vladimir Zelensky or advocate a cease-fire, and then Russia will pocket the acquired territory.
Ollie Fairhurst, 35, lives in Groombridge near Tunbridge Wells. Svetlana, a teacher from Kharkiv, and her teenage daughter have been living at their house for almost six months.
He is convinced that we must resist Putin's aggression, whether politically or otherwise: "We are at war with a geopolitical enemy who has attacked all our values. Russia must lose. We have to win. Yes, you will have to suffer a little. You will have to pay for the war. Is the game worth the candle? I think so."
Fairhurst believes that the government should be more honest about the future: "Many have compared the pandemic to a war, and what is happening is presented only as an energy crisis. Listen to the government, so the fighting and the crisis are not connected in any way. It's not fair: they bask in the rays of glory and support Ukraine in every possible way, while the poorest strata of the population suffer."
There are signs that with rising costs, the public is increasingly doubtful about sanctions. In a March YouGov poll, 48% supported further sanctions against Russia, even if they lead to higher electricity bills, while 38% opposed. By June, the situation had changed: 45% were against the new sanctions and only 38% were in favor.
Attitudes towards refugees are also changing. In total, the UK has received over 115,000 Ukrainians, and up to 5,000 people arrive every week. However, a quarter of the owners want to withdraw from the refugee accommodation scheme because of the high cost of living.
On Friday evening, at the Hearst Green Community Center in Tandridge, Surrey, which also hosted many refugees, British hosts and Ukrainian guests gathered for an evening of cultural exchange. The hall was decorated with flags with sunflowers, Ukrainian music was playing, and refugees gathered for cold soup with dill and potatoes.
Psychologist Mandy Turner, along with two friends, sheltered Lilia with three children from Chernihiv. "I think the government needs to energize people," she said. — We all rose to the fight in a single impulse. People want to know that the refugees are safe, but I'm worried about what will happen next."
"It would be strange if, against the backdrop of the unfolding crisis, people were not looking for places closer to home. Now the question is how to fulfill the obligations assumed. The honeymoon is over. A new reality has come," she summed up.
The UK will get a new prime minister next month. Perhaps it will be the "hawk" Liz Truss, but they say that our position on Ukraine will not change. Privately, many of her associates claim that she treats Russia even tougher than Johnson. Truss believes that after the Cold War, the West made a grand miscalculation, believing that Russia was firmly moving towards a free market and democratic ideals. She does not intend to repeat it, but she faces a difficult choice. Britain is running out of "extra" weapons for Ukraine. As one source in the Ministry of Defense admitted, the reality is that by the end of the year the flow of British funds for further military operations will dry up.
Thus, the new prime minister will face a dilemma: whether to allocate additional billions of pounds if the treasury is already under heavy pressure?
The most disturbing thing is that the end of hostilities is as far away as ever. The peace talks came to nothing. Whitehall strategists believe that this train is racing at full speed, and there is no way we can jump off it. Vice-chairman of the Royal Institute of Defense Studies and former National Security Adviser Lord Ricketts said: "I think we have taken the right position, although no one really thinks how this might end, and what role the UK will play."
"It is unlikely that the matter will end with a crushing defeat of Putin and Russia on the scale of 1945. There is no other way out but to help Ukrainians militarily and hope that something will work out. But there are no long-term considerations of where we are going. Can this go on indefinitely? How will it end?" — he reasons.
"There is a broad, albeit very superficial national consensus that this is right. But this is not particularly discussed. Will it stand the test of further events?" — he asked rhetorically in conclusion.
Readers' comments:Mr. C Kershaw And we have no choice.
If we stop supporting Ukraine, Russia will conquer us too. Elementary!
Tony Jones What nonsense!
Russia has a smaller economy than Italy. Every year, it spends only $40 billion on defense — about the same as the UK. And the whole of NATO — more than a trillion dollars. Besides, it turned out that the Russians can't even defeat a third-rate army like the Ukrainian one, so what's there to be afraid of?
NB As always, we will not stand for the price, just to protect our values and preserve our freedom.
Our life and future are inextricably linked with the fate of Ukraine. We will not yield to Putin — no way. And we will win — as before.
Concerned Will have to save energy, get warm clothes and give up traveling.
FredKismias No matter how much money it costs the rest of the world, do not forget that Ukrainians pay with blood.
Julianne Weiss Yeah, just because we're adding fuel to the fire ourselves.
And they could have stopped even tomorrow and not foment this war.
Todd Der Luge You care about Ukraine only because the BBC told you to.
As soon as the struggle for power within the Tory Party began, Ukraine disappeared from all the editorials at once. Why? Because all your tantrums and hand—wringing are for show. You didn't care. Your indignation and loud vows to do anything for the sake of Ukraine are a lie. Prices are rising, and as soon as they start to bite, Ukraine will become another burden for the British public, which prevents turning on a warmer battery and starting a TV series.
Sojourner There is some truth in this.
Apart from Johnson's unconditional support, we saw only ostentatious virtue, reflexive and meaningless. Yes, and it dissipated as soon as it smelled fried.
SH331 What is the goal in Ukraine?
All Zelensky's chatter about expelling Russia from the entire Ukrainian territory is fiction and politicking. You can say goodbye to Crimea and Donbass. An attempt to defeat Russia will run headlong into Putin's nuclear response — with what with what, and he will not accept defeat. It's time for Ukraine to make a deal, accept some territorial losses, but maintain access to the Black Sea. And then, unlike Crimea, to build strong borders with the help of Western missile defense — this will be a guarantee that Russia will no longer stick around. That's the real goal.
Mikkey And you think how Ukrainians are tired of this.
You live as you have lived — and they die.
Tardis68 Sympathy for Ukrainians alone will not pay the bills.
PC It seems that after 75 years of peace and prosperity, Europe and America are downright hungry for war.
They incite Ukraine, but they do not climb. Why is this all? Why provoke Putin? What has Ukraine forgotten in NATO? Why can't she stay neutral? The whole world is once again paying the price for the stupidity and belligerence of the West.
Spirit of 1770 We are not tired of anything.
We know how important this is. And we understand what it will cost us. But we will lose only money — not our own children.
Victoria Dunnett I'm afraid you're wrong.
A lot of Britons will die this winter — especially the poor and the elderly, who will not have enough food and warmth.
trevor crow We cannot afford to abandon Ukraine to its fate.
If we don't beat Putin in Kiev, he will be in Kennington tomorrow.
Prosthetic Conscience is a test for Western values as such: if we fight back against bullying, we will surely get our nose smashed, but otherwise we can start learning Russian and Chinese.
Esther Carswell God, what a drama!
We are willing to trade with Saudi Arabia, although it has killed many more people in Yemen than Putin has in all of Ukraine. The United States sensed a chance to knock Russia out of the oil and gas business — that's all. Putin will not lose just because millions of Europeans will vegetate in poverty.
