As the costs of helping displaced Ukrainians become clear and images of destruction in Ukraine fill our news, the international community should step up militarily. President Zelensky is right. We need a no-fly zone, now, especially considering the difficulty that the Ukrainian army is going to have in the future trying move, without adequate air defenses, the material the world community has generously provided. On the all-important humanitarian front, it is wonderful to see the welcom that Ukrainian refugees are recieveing in some of the poorer nations of the European Union. However, those countries will have to be reimbursed. This at a time when inflation is hitting both the EU and the US hard. That is on top of the effects of sanctions. I am in no way at all begrudging the brave Ukrainian people support. We need to find every way we can to support Ukraine as they fight for freedom and their democracy. However, it is pointless to make serious financial commitments when making a military one would be better in the long run.
Right now, what the international community is doing is allowing Putin to play a dangerous game of chicken with his stockpiles of nuclear weapons and his willingness to broaden this war. Financially speaking, we are letting the Russians score a victory, and an important one. Even as we put intense economic pressure on the Russian war machine, which desperately needs to be done, we are allowing Russia to create a long-term financial problem for the West. Eventually, we will have to pay for the destruction of Ukraine. And, if you look at the bombings that Putin has carried out, it is clear that he understands that.
Not intervening militarily to protect Ukraine now means paying for devastation later. Seeing that we have made it clear that our solidarity with the Ukrainian people doesn’t mean a willingness to commit to war, Putin may take the tack of wearing down Western governments financially. This could become an Achilles heel for the West. Even if the West is willing to make the long-term financial commitments it needs to make, Putin may perceive weakness. Because the world community is still sending mixed messages about the nature of our support, Putin may bide his time and hope for an erosion of the willingness to stand behind Ukraine financially.
Waiting will prove to be futile. Either the US will be forced into the conflict when it spills over into NATO territory; or face a grinding, protracted conflict that shipments of arms just will not help. As for widening the war, the reality is that Putin is going to do what he is going to do, and the time is now, not later, to confront his nuclear war saber rattling. Otherwise, we give him the upper hand, and a chance to wear down the world community in slow motion.
Progressive Without Apology 