In 1938 Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain returned from Germany claiming, “peace in our time”, having signed a pact with Hitler.

Our Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, made historical reference to this ill-fated comment, saying recently there was a “whiff of Munich” about the stand-off between Ukraine and Russia.

It’s certainly worth reflecting on.

So, 84 years on, how is the West standing up to this latest bully, Putin?

The firm rhetoric, threat of severe sanctions and minor troop movements appear to have staved off an invasion, at least for the moment.

But the situation remains on a knife-edge. It’s also seen Putin directing events without a shot being fired.

His sabre-rattling has successfully exposed a number of weaknesses in the West, not least fomenting disunity between allies, with three post-war alliances looking shakier than ever before.

The US and Europe, for years joined at the hip, now have widely differing priorities, while China exploits the gap. NATO looks weak and divided, with members unwilling to play their part, or pay their dues.

Though Poland and the Baltic States - dangerously exposed on the front line - are among those who contribute fully, others do not.

Chief amongst them are major players in the EU, which ironically won the Nobel Peace Prize 10 years ago.

France’s arrogant drive for an EU army has won little enthusiasm or investment from members, while Germany is in hock to Russia for gas.

No wonder, then, that despite encouraging Ukraine’s ‘revolution of dignity’ in 2013, the EU has dithered in the face of Russian aggression.

Meanwhile, virtually surrounded by Russian forces, Ukraine’s President continues to express their wish to join NATO, a move that Putin will clearly not contemplate.