YESTERDAY, Monday, July 28, letters were sent to the UK Foreign Secretary and to the Secretary of State for Defence setting out the position of The Association of Ukrainians in GB (AUGB) post MH17.

Also sent out were letters of condolences to the Dutch Ambassador and Malaysian High Commissioner in London to express sympathies on behalf of the AUGB and the Ukrainian community in the UK. The Dutch Ambassador replied shortly afterwards.

We respectfully request that, as our local elected Members of Parliament for Ukrainians in Bolton, that you make representations to the government and its ministers that Britain assists in providing used protective gear to the Ukrainian army.

Furthermore, to seek an assurance from David Cameron that: (i) no high- high ranking Russian Federation politician will be invited to the UK while the current crisis in Ukraine continues and, (ii) that Britain will initiate or support any motion to exclude Vladimir Putin from the G20 Summit (in the same way that he was excluded from the “G8”) The situation in Ukraine is similar to Gaza in that innocent civilians are being killed.

The interference of Russia in Ukrainian internal affairs, supplying arms, rockets and manpower, is having a devastating effect.

Over 1,100, civilians and soldiers, have been killed in a conflict only Putin wants. Unless more stringent measures are taken against Mr Putin and his cohorts, more innocent lives will be lost.

Therefore, I appeal to you to assist the people in Eastern Ukraine in stopping this senseless conflict. Please use what leverage you think necessary.

On behalf of Ukraine and its people, thank you.

Yaroslaw Tymchyshyn Community Officer Bolton