The vast majority of Western politicians have boxed themselves into too much of a corner after having demonized Russia to such an extent to really raise serious questions about the need for increased defence expenditure and to question any benefits it might bring. At a certain point, politically, there isn’t any going back without a colossal loss of face.

As Alexander Hill writes, Russia is a long way from being beaten and in many ways is in a stronger position today than it was at the end of last year. But getting that information out into the mainstream press is becoming more and more difficult—perhaps suggesting that the Western crusade against Russia, using Ukraine as a proxy, is not going to plan.

Creating ‘us’ and ‘them’ narratives is a staple for many governments—a convenient way of keeping things crudely simple and trying to unite a population at home that might be willing to focus negative feelings on external enemies rather than domestic concerns. Only by resisting such ploys can we play a small part in creating a more stable and just world.

The fighting in and around Bakhmut won’t be another Stalingrad or Verdun, because what is taking place isn’t history repeating itself and nor can it be. It is important to remember that the use of historical parallels is not about the past as some sort of benevolent actor talking to the present, but often about political actors in the present trying to mobilize the past for their own ends.

For the West to be supporting the idea that Crimea should be recaptured and forcibly re-incorporated into Ukraine—without even attempting to find out whether their populations want that—is just another indicator of the sort of double standards than have and continue to undermine the credibility of Western diplomacy across much of the world.

Rather than eat some humble pie and break ranks with their equally deluded colleagues both at home and abroad, politicians like Joly would rather watch tens of thousands more be killed and wounded in fighting that is unlikely to fundamentally change the ultimate outcome of any future negotiations. It is our moral duty to try to help them see sense.

Canada is rapidly losing any hope of being able to claim that it is an honest international broker or peacemaker. The international niche that Canada had carved out for itself twenty or more years ago is a thing of the past and the world will not be a better place for it. These are sad days for Canada and its reputation in the world beyond its Western backyard.