Vladimir Putin’s terrorism in Ukraine has a much bigger target: the United States

Over the course of the last few weeks, Russian forces have been waging an unprovoked and unequivocally barbarous war against the citizens of Ukraine. Many civilian targets have been shelled by Russian missiles in an attempt to quell Ukrainian resolve and subjugate the Ukrainian people. This is terrorism.

These same tactics were used previously by the Russians during the Second Chechen War, and this pattern of use demonstrates that Russian President Vladimir Putin has no reservations about implementing terrorism in future conflicts. Passivity on this matter gives rise to a dangerous and unacceptable precedent.

While this war is currently being fought in Ukraine, Putin’s primary adversary is the United States and the international order that we have established and maintained since the fall of the Soviet Union. Putin’s Feb. 24 speech, delivered at the onset of the conflict, asserts this in no uncertain terms. Despite this declaration, foreign policy in the West remains predicated upon the delusional idea that Russia’s ambitions and aggression will end at Ukraine’s western border.

The fall of Ukraine would mark only the first of many objectives in this Russian war on sovereignty. However, a successful defense of Ukraine would sound the death knell for Putin’s military ambitions and prevent the spread of violence to other countries. For this reason, and for the sake of all the Ukrainian civilians struggling and dying for their freedom, the United States should immediately impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

This is certainly a provocation, but a provocation by an enemy who has shown that it is already determined to escalate this war as soon as it is logistically and militarily capable of doing so. If this war must be escalated, let us do it on our terms instead of on theirs.

The threat of Russian nuclear weapons is certainly a matter to be considered with the utmost solemnity — but also with rationality. It is easy to let fear drive this analysis but in its absence, there remains the fact that the usage of nuclear weapons results in the utter destruction of both parties and, therefore, will not rationally be resorted to unless the existence of the Russian state is brought under threat. Blunting Putin’s offensive does not present such an existential threat. If the mere existence of Russian nuclear arms precludes any international military resistance, then Putin can start to draft his new international order now.

The United States’ soft powers methods of resistance have certainly taken their toll on the Russian economy. However, instead of deterring Russian aggression in the Ukraine, they have pushed Putin to implement increasingly savage and catastrophic tactics. The need for military intervention is apparent and the implementation of a no-fly zone would be immediately and immensely beneficial to Ukraine.

Without decisive action now, this Russian threat and war will only grow and more innocent people will die.