Attachment #9: Regarding a No-fly Zone Over Ukraine
This will stop Russia from launching devastating missile strikes, dropping bombs or undertaking large-scale air-assault operations using helicopters and aeroplanes. A no-fly zone should come with a commitment not to deploy NATO troops on Ukrainian soil or in Ukrainian skies. In contrast to Russia’s aggression, the aim of NATO’s no-fly zone would be to protect the population and to prevent a humanitarian crisis. With this message, America and NATO will not trigger war, but contain it. He who violates the rules of the no-fly zone is the aggressor and must be neutralized or destroyed.
President Zelenskyy and former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko is pleading with Canada and its NATO allies to enforce such a no-fly zone above their country as the Russian military intensifies its aerial bombardment. That request has not been entertained by various NATO officials because enforcement of a no-fly zone could amount to a direct confrontation between NATO and the Russian military. “Putting in place a no-fly zone would be a severe escalation on the part of NATO and it is not on the table at the current time,” said Canada’s Defence Minister, Anita Anand.
Further, the United States has the only air force capable of successfully enforcing a no-fly zone, meaning any such decision would have to come from Washington.
It has also been suggested that increasing the supply of Stinger launchers is equivalent to a no-fly zone, as they are so effective.
As another view, retired general Rick Hillier, former commander of the Canadian military, has described a no-fly zone as a necessary response to Russian aggression.”I know that NATO is a defensive organization but you don’t start defence at your front door,” Hillier said.