The story being written in Kharkiv and Izium right now will determine how our future plays out under King Charles III
The most important news for Britain in the past week did not break at Balmoral. That isn’t to deny that a royal succession is a big deal. As the crowds queueing for a glimpse of the deceased monarch attest, it is huge. But hugely symbolic.
Meanwhile, in a war 1,800 miles farther east there are events of greater consequence for citizens of this country than a new head under the crown and on the stamps. Of course our kingdom will be a bit different under Charles III. But the whole world will be different depending on whether it is Vladimir Putin or Volodymyr Zelenskiy who prevails in Ukraine.
Rafael Behr is a Guardian columnist
