Time is Now for NATO to be Explicit Regarding Ukraine
both Russia and Ukraine need unambiguous clarification
Most times, ambiguity is called for in relations among nations. Only water is more fluid than the totality of factors that influence those relations. It is wise to hedge and defer until a commitment is absolutely necessary.
It is equally wise to know when the time for a commitment has arrived. There are times when an explicit statement, put forth for all the world to know, of a specific policy or goal, etc., is absolutely necessary.
One such time is when a lack of explicitness might encourage some nation(s) to take some action that is intolerable to one or more other nations. Once the action is taken, the other nations have no choice but to react. The result is an international crisis — or worse. Had they made their position perfectly clear, a damaging — or horrific — episode could have been avoided. At the least, they would have done their best to avoid such an outcome.
It looks as though Russia is gearing up for a push into Ukraine that will dwarf in scale its initial invasion. It is reported that it has amassed 500,000 soldiers for the attack. Moreover, it appears that Belarus might very well join the attack (perhaps later on, if the initial Russian attempt falters).
So far, Ukraine has held its own and then some. It is possible, though, that by sheer weight of numbers — as well as the possibility of better Russian tactics — that Ukraine’s defense forces will be overwhelmed.
NATO needs to state explicitly, before any such thing could possibly occur — before the first step is taken by any Russian forces — the extent to which its support of Ukraine extends. Would it use long-range missiles, etc. to prevent a route of Ukraine’s army? Would it employ its air forces? Would it send in ground forces?
The whole world needs to know.