Zelenskyy: It’s Day 18. We Hold Key Positions. Close The Skies. We’re Going Through The Worst Odeal.

In summary, President Zelenskyy said: It’s day 18. We hold key defensive positions. Close the Ukrainian Airspace before it gets worse; Russian bombs have already neared NATO’s borders (within 20 miles). 

Negotiations are actively underway between Russia and Ukraine and this has led to the more than 10 corridors that are opened today so that  over 5550 refugees were able to securely leave Kyiv, Kharkiv, Melitopol, Donbas and other regions safely except for Mariupol which remains blocked by Russian troops. They are working on getting that reopened. He visited the wounded and handed out medals today and spoke with several European leaders who assured continued support and shared concerns about the wider implications of Putin’s goals and Russia’s invasion is closing in on their (EU’s) borders.

He ended by saying: We are going through the worst ordeal in our history and in our lives to protect the most precious thing we have. We must hold on. We must fight. And we will win. I believe in that.

Importantly, he warned the world leaders who are refusing to implement the No-Fly-Zone reminding them of his warning some time ago to apply more sanctions on Russia as Putin was getting ready for a war and we are now at that point. 
Further, Zelenskyy seems to be suggesting here, that he is also, now warning the world that Russia has greater plans which may ultimately involve Europe and by then it may too late. Therefore, closing the skies now over Ukraine and providing jets and planes to protect the skies, in addition to what they have already received, may avert any further catastrophes and prevent Russia from penetrating further into Europe. 

The fact is, if Russia successfully defeats and takes Ukraine, then this surely poses a threat to NATO and other European countries on the border given Putin’s justification that he is denazifying Europe and saving them from western propaganda. As such, it should be in Europe’s and NATO’s interest to want to impose a No-Fly-Zone given Russia’s threats and what it’s success would mean. 

Currently, Europe is heavily dependent on oil imports from Russia. So, they are in a very precarious position. But, Europe’s leaders are either too lazy or lack vision and leadership; they continue to do business with Putin who has a track record of intimidation and aggression in the world. Moreover, Russia does not share many of the principles and ideologies of Europe, especially Western European countries and those that have separated from USSR or the Soviet Union. These countries such as Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Lithuania etc. are independent sovereign nations that Russia wants to continue to control and dominate. 
Further, it would seem as if Putin is recreating the Cold War to rebuild the Soviet Union with this invasion of Ukraine. This is what is at stake and President Zelenskyy continues to hammer home this warning as he lobby for the implementation of a no-fly-zone. 

We hope that the world will not wait until it’s too late and that NATO reexamines it’s terms of reference so as to widen its scope to not only protect its members but all the vulnerable countries of the world. While it’s goal is to prevent another world war, which explains its indirect involvement in the war and military aid to Ukraine and procrastination in providing real sanctions against Russia. It should also be able to deal with its members directly so as to prevent its members from stirring up hostilities in the world, especially against weaker and more vulnerable states that can’t protect themselves. If they do, NATO should be able to confront that country directly and  remove or suspend that country’s membership. 
NATO’s roles must include promoting peace keeping unless that’s only a role for UN peacekeepers. But where are the UN Peacekeepers on this? It would seem however that NATO or the UN can’t control or confront its members who are promoting war in the world—terrorising a peaceful developing country. Is it is willing to allow one of its members to bully another country without any real and effective response that includes confrontation? If not, then any indifference and weak demonstration to hold them accountable would only provide a basis or justification for other states to want to acquire nuclear weapons if NATO only exists to protect its members and cannot reign in said members who are or when they are out of control. 
We also duscussed this on our podcast