NATO Says ‘Nyet’ to President Zelensky’s Plea for a NATO No-Fly Zone – Opinion

On Friday, a meeting of NATO foreign ministers declined to establish the no-fly zone over Ukraine requested by Urkaine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky. It should not be surprising to anyone who pays attention. This is the worst idea possible. I’ve mentioned why the idea is bad briefly in Adam Kinzinger Takes Time out From Pimping for a War With Russia to Punk Himself With an Internet Meme, and in more detail in Transfer of NATO Aircraft to Ukraine Falls Through as Zelensky Resumes His Campaign for a No-Fly Zone.

“Allies agree we should not have NATO planes operating over Ukrainian airspace or NATO troops operating in Ukrainian territory,” Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general, said at a news conference after a meeting of foreign ministers.

Ukrainian officials have called for a no-fly zone over Ukraine’s airspace, but NATO is resisting for fear that it could draw member states into a war with Russia.

“We understand the desperation, but if we did that, we would end up with something that could lead to a full-fledged war in Europe involving much more countries and much more suffering,” Mr. Stoltenberg said. “We will provide support, but we will not be part of the conflict.”

Dmytro Kuleba (Ukraine’s foreign minister) asked for assistance from foreign ministers representing the other 30 members of the alliance as well as those of Sweden, Finland, and Finland.

“Our country is ready to fight. We continue to battle the Russian invasion, but we need immediate help in repelling Russian attacks in the air,” he told the meeting, according to the online news site Ukrayinska Pravda. “If you do not do this, you will have to share the responsibility for the lives and suffering of the civilian population of Ukraine who are being killed by rocket attacks from Russian planes.”

NATO is being criticised by President Zelensky for not implementing a nofly zone. He claims that they deliberately chose to not cover Ukraine’s skies. He claims that NATO “created the narrative” it could lead to conflict with Russia.

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) March 4, 2022

Zelensky not mincing his criticism of Nato over its refusal to implement no-fly zone: “Every person who dies from today will die because of you.”

— Oliver Carroll (@olliecarroll) March 4, 2022

I can understand President Zelensky’s desire for a no-fly area. The situation in Ukraine is dire. If President Zelensky could use the US’s real-time intelligence to neutralize Russian planes flying above Ukraine, it would make things a lot easier for them.

(Relatedly, I haven’t had a chance to explore the information in the tweet below yet.)

NEW: Ukraine has “a substantial majority” of available aircraft against Russia. This includes fixed-wing and drone aircraft, as well as helicopters. Senior U.S. Official.

After nine days of conflict with Russia, Ukraine maintains its air supremacy.

— Jack Detsch (@JackDetsch) March 4, 2022

A no-fly zone in Ukraine for people who have joined later is not a good idea.

Fighters enforce a no fly zone that prohibits most, or all aircraft from accessing a specific area of airspace.

The enforcement is by directing unauthorized aircraft to exit or shoot them down if they don’t.

Surface-to-air missiles are the best way to counter a no fly zone. It means that your fighters need to be on the alert for potential missile threats when they are patrolling.

Forces imposing no-fly zones face problems with surface-to air missiles. They will eventually shoot down your plane, so you can let them go. Are you going to attack them?

Russian top-of-the line surface-to-air missile systems have a theoretical range exceeding 200 miles. This means missile batteries located inside Russia can cover most of Ukraine’s airspace. Do you try to attack one of the Russian missile batteries, even though it’s located in Russia, or do you leave it alone, if it becomes hostile?

You can also take down any Russian SAM or aircraft, and then you will have a NATO-vs. Russia punch-up. This may not be limited to Ukraine. Russian vessels in the Black Sea will shoot at NATO ships Russian SAMs could target NATO reconnaissance planes on station

While President Zelensky may find the no-fly area useful, it does not appear to be of any benefit to NATO. That’s fine because President Zelensky is supposed to advocate for his country’s interests, and if he can get NATO involved, he has done what he should.

NATO is limited in its ability to do what it is doing. About 1,000 Stinger Manportable Air Defense Systems, (MANPADS), arrived in Ukraine this week. One of the flights was accompanied by a rotund fellow fairly effervescing with ‘white rage.’

NYT traveled with Milley to Ukraine border to deliver weapons https://t.co/umMVP51vIm

— Jesse Rodriguez (@JesseRodriguez) March 4, 2022