Helsinki Commission Discussion on Defense Assistance for Ukraine

Former NATO Supreme Commander General Wesley Clark (Ret.) argued before the Helsinki Commission that inaction by the U.S. and NATO allies would not “translate” into Russian President Vladimir Putin refusing to escalate the conflict in Ukraine. Specifically, the general advocated for a NATO-led no-fly zone or humanitarian corridors. General Clark said Putin is executing a long-term plan to upend world structure put in place after World War II. He was joined by two scholars who discussed how the U.S. might escalate the conflict with a “no-fly” zone as well as the threat of nuclear war. The Helsinki Commission includes nine U.S. senators, nine U.S. House members, and one member each from the Departments of State, Commerce and Defense. close