Photo: Reuters
President Volodymyr Zelensky has encouraged the West to think about a no-fly zone for Russian aircraft over Ukraine. It comes after Moscow’s bombardment of the nation’s second-largest city, bringing out more sanctions by the United States and its allies.
The crisis in Ukraine continues to escalate, with Russia facing international sanctions for its attack. Unfortunately, hours of talks between Russia and Ukraine on Monday evening did not produce any significant developments towards ending the conflict.
According to Ukrainian officials, Russian assaults in Kharkiv, which houses more than a million residents, have caused the deaths of civilians, including children. Zelensky stated in a video address that it was time to deter Russian missiles, planes, and helicopters from Ukraine’s airspace.
“Fair negotiations can occur when one side does not hit the other side with rocket artillery at the very moment of negotiations,” said Zelensky. However, he didn’t clarify how or who would impose the no-fly zone.
The United States has not sent off soldiers to battle Russia, and officials have voiced concerns about increasing tensions between the two most enormous nuclear powers in the world.
In a press conference, Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, said, “A no-fly zone would require implementation.”
Such action would need “deploying US military to enforce, which would be … potentially a direct conflict, and potentially a war with Russia, which is something we are not planning to be part of.”
Western nations have united in censuring Russia for its attack and imposed harsh economic sanctions on the country, President Vladimir Putin, and his cronies.
However, there has been no change in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s position on the recent invasion of Ukraine, which occurred last Thursday. He aimed to recapture Europe’s security map and haul Ukraine into its ambit.
On Sunday, the Russian leader placed Russia’s nuclear forces on high alert. But a senior US defense official stated Washington had not spotted any “muscle movement” after Putin’s advisory.
US President Joe Biden said, “No,” when asked whether Americans should be concerned about nuclear war.
The United States removed 12 Russian diplomats from the United Nations, citing national security concerns. Russia called the action “hostile.”
Opinions expressed by NY Weekly contributors are their own.
