War is not an academic exercise. You either fight to win or you fight to die. 

And Ukraine is at war with the enemies of the free world: Russia and its accomplices Belarus, Iran and North Korea. Somehow, four of the most disgusting dictatorships on Earth are terrorizing Ukrainians and destroying a free country in the middle of Europe while the West watches from the sidelines.

Kyiv has spent more than a decade defending itself against Russian aggression. Moscow cannot win the war. It lacks the resources and manpower required to conquer all of Ukraine, let alone to control it. Likewise, Kyiv, cursed by geography, cannot end the war without security guarantees that make it nearly impossible for Russia to invade Ukraine again further down the road.

Though Kyiv's development of nuclear weapons is one option, the best way to deter further Russian aggression while maintaining Kyiv’s positive relationship with the West would be through NATO membership.

Ukraine is our ally. Russia is our enemy. It is morally correct, long-overdue and in the West’s interest to invite the biggest and most battle-hardened army in Europe to join NATO, immediately impose a no-fly zone above Ukrainian land west of the Dnieper River and deploy soldiers and air defense systems to enforce that commitment.

If a single Russian, Iranian or North Korean projectile launched from Belarus or Russia hits Ukrainian territory west of the Dnieper River, respond with overwhelming force — so the Russians get the message.

This will deter Russia while alleviating pressure on Ukraine and the West in at least two ways.

First, by protecting the Ukrainian people and infrastructure. As western Ukraine becomes safer and more stable, this would likely reduce the number of refugees headed to Europe and increase the number of........

© The Hill