The Government should learn from how Johnson got the trains to run on time when he was Mayor of London.
It is an essential British interest that Putin’s efforts to split Germany, France and Italy from the front line states fails.
Both countries look set to continue to rub along uneasily, mixing elements of cooperation and competition along the way.
France’s intractable divisions between left, right, and centre were once again highlighted by Sunday’s election.
Germany, Hungary, Italy and Bulgaria are highly dependent on Russian gas exports, raising the prospect of bitter arguments to come.
They find themselves wondering what place their nation has within the European Union, and in dealing with Putin.
Next, European policies towards China, both in the EU and in the UK, are likely to come under increased scrutiny.
French leaders have a history of being dovish towards Moscow, and his rivals are having to explain past warmth towards Putin.
Just as its energy dependence on Russia cannot be reversed overnight, decades of drift into quasi-pacifism reflect a deeply embedded outlook.
Although we should arm Ukraine, we should not fan the flames of a wider European war – but tighten our economic grip in a way never before seen.
Higher interest rates may slow the world economy later this year and early next. Recession is even possible for the UK.
Re-calibrating policies to account for the reality of conflict and warfare today could not be more urgent.
Undoubtedly, Britain played a terrible part in the 17th and 18th-century history of slavery. Its act later ensured sweeping political and societal change.
The recent drive, apparently coordinated between Paris and Berlin, to push Ukraine for a compromise settlement must be resisted.