Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed directly to Congress Wednesday to establish a no-fly zone over his country — a request that the Biden administration has already rejected. He wants Poland’s MiG-29 jets so Ukraine can fight for control of Ukrainian skies instead of opening them so Russian planes can attack civilian areas at will. Again, the Biden administration says no.
In the public relations war that is crucial to galvanizing Western solidarity behind Ukraine, Zelenskyy has a winning message of stalwart resistance against superior Russian forces. Russian President Vladimir Putin is winning his own twisted public relations campaign by communicating an effective visual message that anyone who dares stand in his way will be crushed mercilessly.
Against that backdrop, the Biden administration’s message comes off as nervous hand-wringing. Avoid offending Russia at all costs, but boy, we’ll sure show ’em with sanctions.
