Ukraine in Flux

Re “This Isn’t Over” [March 10]: Contrary to what is suggested in the article, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not lost Ukraine. The change in Kiev can be temporary. Moreover, Russia is holding the trump card of Ukraine’s economy. Ukraine’s problem is basically one of power struggle tainted by corruption. There does not seem to be any guarantee that the new administration will be corruption-free. As such, the deep-rooted problem remains. Anything goes in the near future, especially with Putin frenetically maneuvering the situation behind the scenes.
Yuri Czekov,
Moscow

In 1938, Adolf Hitler annexed the Sudetenland with the pretext that he wanted to defend his German brothers in that region. At that time, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain met Hitler in Munich but did nothing to defend the people of Sudetenland. He followed a policy of appeasement. It looks like our Western leaders in the U.S. and Europe are following the same policy with Putin.
Joe M. Zahra,
Birzebbuga, Malta

Why should anyone oppose and be upset by the Crimean people’s strong majority voting to be Russian, while the West supported the independence of Kosovo? Isn’t this a story of double standards and the idea of the West being unquestionably morally superior?
Flavio Andreis,
Verona, Italy

Chef Executive
Re “Hail to the Chef” [March 10]: The only reason why many politicians like Alan García still have a say in what happens in their countries is that people have refused to come to their senses. Why would Gastón Acurio not run for President if the citizens of Peru want him to run? I am fascinated that Acurio is gainfully employed. Most politicians, especially those in my country, cannot feed themselves without government funds. Gastón, go for it.
Kester Ekekwe,
Agbado, Nigeria

Preventive Care
Re “The Cost of Chasing Cancer” [March 10]: While overscreening is wasteful, underscreening is lethal. As we strive for a golden-mean approach to screening, TIME readers may consider the millions who lose their lives annually because they did not adopt preventive health measures, including colonoscopy. To return to the ideal levels of screening means using more, not less, preventive measures wisely. Let us beware of providing material for rationalizations that lead so many to forgo lifesaving screenings.
Jesse Lachter,
Haifa, Israel

Credit to the French
Re Conversation [March 10]: The picture seen by Jean-Louis Desplat is actually sickening, but his letter is all the more sickening as he accuses the French troops of passivity and cowardice. Our soldiers are trying to stop the murders between the Muslim and Christian communities, and so far they have succeeded in preventing most of the mass murders. They cannot be everywhere.
Raymond Allain,
Versailles, France

Eat Better, Not More
Re “Young Kids, Old Bodies” [March 10]: I’ve been an occasional visitor to the U.S., and each visit has shocked me more than the last at the state of America’s obesity crisis. Outside metropolitan centers, good-quality, healthy food is hard to find, and most restaurants’ selling point is basically “More for your money!” Americans need a radical rebooting of their relationship with food, which is now totally at odds with lifelong health.
Doug Morton,
Norwich, England

Pursuit of Meritocracy
Re “Losing Faith” [March 3]: My family immigrated to Australia from Malaysia to find opportunity predicated on ability and prior achievement rather than favoring a particular race or religion. The legitimization of undue reward is unjust, blunts motivation, exacerbates complacency and fuels cross-cultural and religious conflict. The seeds of intolerance in Malaysia were sown long ago.
Joseph Y.S. Ting,
Brisbane, Australia