NATO’s decision to hold an emergency summit is a necessary step as the Alliance grapples with the worst security crisis in Europe since World War II. Here we are in fact at the critical moment, which for today’s generation corresponds to 1939: it will be possible to quit Putin in Ukraine, or will the conflict spread further?
Putin’s war in Ukraine is going badly. The more desperate he becomes, the more dangerous he becomes, raising the possibility of an even more horrific toll of civilian casualties and the prospect of Moscow resorting to nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons. Not only must NATO live up to its legal obligations as a defensive alliance, it must also demonstrate its ability to uphold moral obligations and protect lives. After the carnage of World War II, including the Holocaust, we swore together: “Never again”. How does that promise stack up today in the face of Russia’s attempt to eradicate Ukraine as a country and as a people?
From a moral point of view, the arguments that Ukraine is not an ally are irrelevant. The Berlin Airlift took place when Germany was not a member of NATO; NATO stopped ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Kosovo, even though these two countries were not part of the alliance. Today, the atrocities in Ukraine are no less a moral affront.
There is no doubt that NATO will announce its ironclad intention to defend every square inch of NATO territory, including the Baltics, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria. This commitment must not only be expressed in words, but must also take the form of a further deployment of military troops stationed at permanent bases in these countries. Indeed, it is time to catalog Moscow’s multiple violations of the NATORussia Founding Act and declare that NATO is no longer required to honor the terms of those agreements, including the promise of “deploying and stationing additional permanent troops.” ” foreseeable combat forces “, stationed in the territories of members after 1991. However, such a clear commitment to a common defense is far from sufficient in the face of Russian aggression against Ukraine. If NATO only stops at the promise, existing allies To defend, Putin will understand that he can do whatever he wants in his war against Ukraine, a nonallied country, including attacking civilians and using weapons of mass destruction.
Consequently, NATO must use its position of strength to shape security in Europe in line with its second priority, crisis management. NATO would therefore do well to issue three warnings.
It should state unequivocally that the survival of Ukraine as a sovereign and independent state is in the absolute interest of NATO. NATO will do everything to ensure Ukraine’s survival.
It should reiterate President Biden’s warning and reiterate that any use of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons will be judged illegal and very serious and will be subject to violent and vigorous responses.
It should emphasize that everyone especially Putin, but also his military and civilian commanders involved in the war against Ukraine must answer individually for each type of war crime committed. The Allies could promote the creation of a special international court for this purpose. Putin’s generals and colonels must clearly understand that no one will go unpunished at the end of the war.
In addition to these warnings, NATO should also agree on numerous ad hoc measures that can have a strong immediate impact.
It should organize the humanitarian corridors and ensure their security on the ground and in the air to ensure that humanitarian aid is delivered to the Ukrainian people where it is needed.
She should commit to delivering larger amounts of armaments to Ukraine quantitatively and qualitatively. NATO should include at least S300 surfacetoair missile systems, armed drones, MiG29 fighter jets, other antiaircraft, antitank, antiship missile systems and theoretically other types of aircraft.
A compensation mechanism should be established to coordinate arms shipments and shipments to Ukraine. Aid to Ukraine by individual Allies is significant, but currently largely uncoordinated. NATO is an expert in these types of operations and could conduct them at NATO Headquarters with ontheground initiatives in Poland.
In addition to these warnings and these concrete steps, NATO will have to keep all viable options on the table without excluding them a priori.
Of course, no ally wants the conflict with Russia to escalate. However, we must remember that Putin also does not want a war with NATO that would result in certain defeat for Russia. By understanding unequivocally what the alliance will not do — be it hiring Russian troops directly or imposing a nofly zone over Ukraine — Putin will be convinced that the West lacks determination and that he can do it in Ukraine his will act as he pleases.
Tomorrow, when they meet, President Biden and his allies will face both strategic and moral scrutiny. Overcoming both will be crucial for the future of Europe.
Translation by Anna Bissanti