Schmidt, Shifirinson, and Ye Express Opposition to No-Fly Zone in Ukraine
Three professors at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies – Vivien Schmidt, Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration and Professor of International Relations and Political Science; Joshua Shifrinson, Associate Professor of International Relations; and Min Ye, Associate Professor of International Relations – co-singed an open letter published in Politico opposing a no-fly zone in Ukraine.
Schmidt, Shifrinson, and Ye were three of 78 experts who signed the open letter opposing a no-fly zone in Ukraine, adding to the argument against putting United States troops in direct engagement with Russians. The letter notes that enforcing a no-fly zone constitutes an act of war since it requires military forces to retaliate against those who break it. The U.S. is currently imposing historic sanctions on Russia and providing significant military support; this open letter argues that imposing a no-fly zone over Ukraine would break through the clear ceiling for escalation that has been set and risk sending the world into global war.
An excerpt:
We deplore Russia’s aggression, admire the bravery of Ukrainians, mourn the loss of innocent life, and wish for a speedy end to the conflict. However, it strains credulity to think that a U.S. war with Russia would make the American people safer or more prosperous. To the contrary, going to war with Russia, a nuclear peer of the United States, would expose Americans to vast and unnecessary risks. A war that expands beyond Ukraine’s borders could also inflict damage across Europe and weaken America’s NATO allies. We call upon the administration to avoid such a gambit and continue to use appropriate diplomatic means and economic pressure to end the conflict.
The full letter can be read on Politico‘s website. The letter was also re-published in The Guardian.
Vivien Schmidt is Professor of International Relations and Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies and was the first Director of BU’s Center for the Study of Europe, housed at the Pardee School. Schmidt’s research focuses on European political economy, institutions, democracy, and political theory—in particular on the importance of ideas and discourse in political analysis. Read more about Professor Schmidt on her faculty profile.