Russia has launched an invasion the likes of which hasn’t been seen in Europe since World War II. An act of aggression this size must’ve been met with a large response, right?

   Yes and no.

   The majority of nations are put in a difficult situation with few options. Although the invasion has received an international reaction of condemnation, the most that any country has been willing to do is to sanction Russia and help Ukraine as much as possible without directly engaging in the conflict. Rather than sending troops into Ukraine to fight alongside them directly, nations are coordinating financial sanctions on Russia, freezing Russia’s money in their banks, sending weapons to Ukraine, providing billions of dollars in monetary aid, and allowing Ukrainian refugees into their countries. 

   The nations of the world are employing this nearly unanimously, excluding a few countries that are abstaining, such as China, or Russian allies. At face value, not directly engaging may seem like a reaction of ignorance and cowardice. However, reasons for this are justified.

   In the current day, a conflict between two large nations with nuclear weapons is a red line that is not crossed. Putin has already ordered his nuclear forces to be on high alert. Therefore, if any nation directly sends military personnel into Ukraine, it is risking nuclear retaliation.

   A nuclear war would have catastrophically-high casualties, compared to what is already happening in Ukraine. If any nation contributes to this war, they have to do it in a way that complies with international law. In the worst case scenario, the world may only help Ukraine prepare for the fall of its capital, Kyiv, and the eviction of the democratically-operated Ukrainian government.

   The West may not be engaging further because of the effect that certain sanctions would have on the Western world. 45% of Europe’s gas imports are from Russia, 40% of which is the total amount used in Europe. The world must account for all of these factors, overcome the challenges, and take the appropriate course of action before time runs out in this rapidly-moving war.