For political figures like Trump and Putin, courage is redefined as a willingness to break the state’s laws if the state’s own interests – or their own – demand it. The implication is that civilisation endures only if there are brave patriots who will do the dirty work. This is a decidedly right-wing form of “heroism.” It is easy to act nobly on behalf of one’s country – short of sacrificing one’s life for it – but only the strong of heart can bring themselves to commit crimes for it.

Ukraine's army is starting the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the front line in the east as part of a truce

Pro-Russian separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko announces plans to recruit 100,000 men, as fighting with Ukrainian forces intensifies.