When Russia began its unprovoked invasion against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the world was revolted at the scenes of senseless destruction, just as we are all inspired by the heroism of the Ukrainian citizens and the leadership of their President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy
It revealed, in greater relief, Russian President Vladimir Putin as a pariah and war criminal. This invasion has galvanized global attention and strengthened NATO resolve and unity, at a time when isolationists and Putin apologists had questioned its relevance.
The United States and the NATO alliance as a whole has done an impressive job supplying Ukraine with anti-armor and short-range air defense systems. The United States has also provided Ukraine with close to real-time intelligence on Russian positions and activities.
President Biden has ruled out the use of American forces in Ukraine stating that he will “defend every inch of NATO territory” as per Article V of the Atlantic Charter. However, as Ukraine is not a NATO member this seems to leave her and her people pretty much on their own.
Democracy is under attack by Russia. The Rule’s based order is under attack by Russia. Whether in Georgia in 2008, the invasion of Eastern Ukraine and unlawful occupation of Crimea in 2014, the interference in U.S. elections in 2016 and now the full invasion of Ukrainian territory, Russia is blowing through every stop sign set up by the “free world.”
While Putin may have miscalculated NATO resolve, it is perhaps understandable how that happened. The American response to Russian military and cyber adventurism since 2008 has been anemic at best. President Obama refused to sell defensive arms to Ukraine fearing it would “provoke” Russia, we know how that worked out. And the Trump Administration delayed sales of Javelin Missiles…well…you know that story.
Upon the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, the United States deployed to Saudi Arabia and along with a global coalition expelled the invaders. Speaking at the State of the Union Address in January 1991, President George H.W. Bush remarked, “Let future generations understand the burden and blessings of freedom. Let them say, “We stood where duty required us to stand.” Let them know that, together, we affirmed America and the world as a community of conscience. He finished…” that we have the will at home and abroad to do what must be done: the hard work of freedom.”
The question remains, do we? Did we expel Iraqi troops because we could? They were a non-nuclear power with only the remnants of a chemical weapons arsenal. Would we have taken such action if Iraq was a nuclear-armed power? Why did we take on Muammar al-Qaddafi’s Libya, but trip on the red line set by President Barack Obama in Syria? Doing the “hard work of freedom” unfortunately is not risk-free, whether to our men and women and uniform or to our national interest.
The need for a humanitarian corridor in Ukraine is growing. While a no-fly zone over the whole of Ukraine is not advisable given the array of Russian air defense assets deployed in Russia, Belarus and Eastern Ukraine, a narrower zone from Kyiv west to the Polish border are more manageable. This would require signaling to the Russians the intention to defend supply and humanitarian convoys, not to engage directly with Russian forces. It would also give the Ukrainians additional breathing room to continue the remarkable defense of their mighty nation.
If America and NATO continue to be self-deterred by Russian threats, the result will be an increase in the costs to the democratic world the next time Russia (or China) takes action against its neighbors.
Standing up for freedom really only counts when the costs are high and as is the case in Ukraine, the consequences of inaction are astronomical.
If we actually do have the stomach to do the hard work of freedom, now is the time to show it…for ourselves, for the Ukrainians, and for the very idea of democracy itself.
Howard Gold is the President of the United States Global Initiative
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