How is NATO responding to the Russia-Ukraine conflict?

After meeting on March 4, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (referred to as NATO) has decided to not intervene in the fighting between Russia and Ukraine.

Western and European country members in NATO have decided to not engage so the conflict does not further intensify. During Friday’s emergency meeting, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg explained why the west is not getting involved at the moment: “We understand the desperation but we also believe that if we did that we would end up with something that could lead to a full-fledged war in Europe involving more countries and much more suffering”. 

Ukraine sought help from NATO by asking to enforce a No-Fly Zone, an area where specific aircraft are not allowed to be in, over parts of Ukraine. NATO declined the idea, stating how it would not only escalate tensions, but also cause many more countries to go to war with Russia. NATO countries would be in charge of defending these No-Fly Zones, and would have to fight against Russia’s advanced military.

“[This is what is] important for everybody to know about a no-fly zone: What that would require is implementation by the U.S. military. It would essentially mean the U.S. military would be shooting down planes – Russian planes”  stated Jen Psaki, White House press secretary on February 28. President Biden also announces America will not be sending US troops to fight in Ukraine. 

In a news conference, Psaki explained the Western countries’ side: “We are not part of this conflict, and we have a responsibility to ensure it does not escalate and spread beyond Ukraine,” overall summarizing how NATO does not plan to become entangled in the war.