“We, the undersigned, urge the Biden administration, together with NATO allies, to impose a limited No-Fly Zone over Ukraine starting with protection for humanitarian corridors that were agreed upon in talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials on Thursday,” reads the letter, published by Politico.
As noted, NATO leaders should convey to Russian officials that they do not seek direct confrontation with Russian forces, but they must also make clear that they will not countenance Russian attacks on civilian areas.
“The international community has responded swiftly through an unprecedented array of sanctions and a significant increase in lethal military assistance to help Ukraine defend itself. But more must be done to prevent more widescale casualties and a potential bloodbath,” the letter says.
Former US Special Envoy to Ukraine, US Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker and former Deputy Secretary General of NATO, US Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow are among the 27 signatories.
Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky thanked ordinary Americans for their continued support for Ukraine and noted that 74% of them were in favor of tightening sanctions against Russia and closing the sky over Ukraine.
On February 24, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops simultaneously crossed Ukrainian borders from the north, east, and Crimea. They are destroying cities, killing civilians, shelling and destroying key infrastructure facilities, hitting Ukrainians’ homes with missiles. Martial law was imposed in Ukraine and general mobilization was announced. The Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the support of all the people, courageously resist the aggression.