Is it time for NATO to fight? Russia appears to have committed multiple war crimes recently. Now there are serious warnings of a much worse escalation. Should we draw a red line?
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US warns Putin could use chemical weapons
Is it time for NATO to fight? Russia appears to have committed multiple war crimes recently. Now there are serious warnings of a much worse escalation. Should we draw a red line?
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A pregnant woman, injured and bloodied, clutches her stomach as she is carried away from the ruins of a maternity hospital hit by a Russian shell in southern Ukraine. Behind her windows are shattered.
Her picture appeared on the front pages of newspapers around the world. Ukraine's president accused Russia of "genocide", calling the attack "a crime that reflects all the evil that the invaders have brought upon us".
Western leaders are warning worse may be to come. "We should all be on the lookout for Russia to possibly use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine," White House press secretaryThe key spokesperson for the president of the United States. Jen Psaki told US reporters on Wednesday.
In recent days, Russian officials have claimed that the US is supporting the development of chemical weapons in Ukraine. For Psaki, it is an "obvious ploy" to justify attacks.
Russia is accused of war crimes in Ukraine. Airstrikes have hit schools, hospitals and homes.
The rules of war, first set out in the 19th CenturyThe Geneva Conventions, a series of treaties setting out how civilians and soldiers should be treated in war, were first established in the 19th Century and reaffirmed after World War Two. , aim to curb brutality and dictate what cannot be done.
Proving war crimes is difficult. Using cluster bombsCluster bombs scatter small bombs over a wide area. On March 4, NATO confirmed Russia had used cluster bombs in Ukraine. is not a war crime. The ICCThe International Criminal Court is preparing to investigate possible war crimes committed in Ukraine. must prove that Russian forces intentionally targeted civilians, or knew that civilians would likely be harmed.
"Unfortunately, the fact that the result itself is awful is not enough for a conclusive finding of a war crime," explains one law professor.
Western leaders have expressed horror over the devastation in Ukraine. NATOThe North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was founded in 1949 to unite Western democracies in Europe and North America against the perceived growing threat of the USSR. It now has 31 members. members have sent weapons to the country, but the UK and US have repeatedly ruled out enforcing a no-fly zoneAn area over which certain aircraft are prevented from flying. Since they involve shooting down enemy aircraft, an NFZ in Ukraine would likely lead to war with Russia.. Officials fear escalating the crisis, and perhaps even setting Europe on the path to World War Three.
Some think the use of chemical weapons could be the red line that causes NATO to send troops to Ukraine.
Yesterday, the UK armed forces minister declared NATO "may intervene if Russia uses chemical weapons in Ukraine".
If the West ignores the use of chemical weapons, argues British diplomat Jonathan Powell, Putin may attack more countries.
"Putin seems hell-bent on escalation," added former British general Sir Chris Deverell. "So the question is becoming: does NATO fight him now or fight him later?"
Many believe NATO is facing a dilemma: stand back and let civilians die, or intervene and risk unknowable new horrors if Russia responds.
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Is it time for NATO to fight?
Yes: The world cannot stand by as young children are slaughtered. If bombing a maternity hospital is not a red line, then using chemical weapons should be. NATO must fight to end this tragedy.
No: NATO is a defensive military alliance. Intervening in an attack on another country risks making this conflict far worse and bringing conflict to peaceful nations. Fighting would be reckless.
Or... There are more steps NATO can take before directly engaging in fighting. Member states should provide Ukraine with more weapons and increase sanctions on Russia - not send troops.
Keywords
White House press secretary - The key spokesperson for the president of the United States.
19th Century - The Geneva Conventions, a series of treaties setting out how civilians and soldiers should be treated in war, were first established in the 19th Century and reaffirmed after World War Two.
Cluster bombs - Cluster bombs scatter small bombs over a wide area. On March 4, NATO confirmed Russia had used cluster bombs in Ukraine.
ICC - The International Criminal Court is preparing to investigate possible war crimes committed in Ukraine.
Nato - The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was founded in 1949 to unite Western democracies in Europe and North America against the perceived growing threat of the USSR. It now has 31 members.
No-fly zone - An area over which certain aircraft are prevented from flying. Since they involve shooting down enemy aircraft, an NFZ in Ukraine would likely lead to war with Russia.
US warns Putin could use chemical weapons
Glossary
White House press secretary - The key spokesperson for the president of the United States.
19th Century - The Geneva Conventions, a series of treaties setting out how civilians and soldiers should be treated in war, were first established in the 19th Century and reaffirmed after World War Two.
Cluster bombs - Cluster bombs scatter small bombs over a wide area. On March 4, NATO confirmed Russia had used cluster bombs in Ukraine.
ICC - The International Criminal Court is preparing to investigate possible war crimes committed in Ukraine.
Nato - The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was founded in 1949 to unite Western democracies in Europe and North America against the perceived growing threat of the USSR. It now has 31 members.
No-fly zone - An area over which certain aircraft are prevented from flying. Since they involve shooting down enemy aircraft, an NFZ in Ukraine would likely lead to war with Russia.