Photo: Reuters
On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a no-fly zone over the country to protect against Russian aircraft. It comes following Moscow’s bombardment of the second-largest city in Ukraine and additional sanctions from America and its allies.
The conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, with countries placing international sanctions on Russia. Unfortunately, hours of talks on Monday involving both parties have not successfully resolved this issue.
Russian harassment in Kharkiv, which is home to 1.4 million residents, has killed civilians, including children, said Ukrainian officials. 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. But he did not detail how or who would impose the no-fly zone.
The United States has dismissed dispatching soldiers to fight Russia, and officials have spoken out apprehension about elevating 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.”
The United States, Canada, and European Union have imposed sanctions against President Vladimir Putin and members of his inner circle.
However, Putin has not wavered in his position in invading Ukraine. He targeted recapturing Europe’s security map and hauling Ukraine into its ambit.
The Russian president has escalated the country’s nuclear forces to high alert. Still, a US defense official states that Washington had not spotted any “muscle movement” after Putin issued his advisory.
US President Joe Biden said no when asked whether Americans should be concerned about nuclear war.
The United States expelled 12 Russian diplomats at the United Nations, invoking national security concerns. Russia described the action as “hostile.”
Opinions expressed by CEO Weekly contributors are their own.
