WE have become accustomed to the hypocrisy and double-standards of most politicians but the recent condemnation by the G7 nations of Russia for its ‘interference’ in Ukraine and its ‘land-grab’ of the Crimea must surely take the biscuit.

Apparently the ‘interference’ in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya is conveniently forgotten, not to mention countless other countries which have been subjected to ‘interference’ by the United States, e.g. Vietnam, Chile, Panama, Grenada, Cuba and many others. As for the ‘land-grab’ of Crimea, as I understand it Crimea has been part of Russia for longer than the United States exists.

A recently reported statement by Chuck Hagel, US Secretary of Defence, tells us that: “...the US would not look the other way when nations ignored international rules...”.

He does not tell us but presumably this statement of US policy does not apply to Israel and its ‘land-grab’ of the West Bank and its apparent immunity from UN resolutions and international law.

In another incredulous statement, US secretary of State, John Kerry, said: “... you just cannot invade other countries on trumped-up charges...” while his predecessor Hillary Clinton was reported as saying: “...violence is an inappropriate way of settling differences...”.

Do these politicians really expect us to take them seriously?

Gordon Clack, Witney Road, Ducklington

Today’s letters


Want to give your opinion? Email letters@oxfordmail.co.uk