Putin bombed a maternity hospital today killing children and pregnant women so that has moved the needle on the No Fly Zone a bit.
Anyway, the no-fly zone has 3 uses.
1. Russia won't be able to shoot cruise missiles and ballistic missiles into Ukraine as they are doing now as those could be intercepted (or pose a serious threat to patrolling NATO aircraft)
2. Russia wouldn't be able to keep bombing Ukrainian cities with planes
3. Ukraine could mount counter attacks which is now difficult as Russian helicopters and planes also protect their columns, bases and artillery
The point that Russia would start a nuclear war over the no-fly zone is bullshit because in the past Turkey has already shot down Russian planes in Syria.
Not to mention a NATO state (The Netherlands) already lost a plane with about 300 passengers when the Russians shot it out of the sky (and then launched a misinformation campaign to blame others).
Based on that alone NATO has had the right to impose a no-fly zone or even invoke Article 5 against Russia since 2014.
The situation with the Migs also makes no sense at all. I mean, Ukraine could also source Migs from elsewhere, maybe some other country wants to sell them their Migs.
It's like some insane demented version of Risk that Ukraine can have Stingers and Starstreak missile systems but not Mig 29's.
Especially since those Polish Migs were once sold from Germany to Poland for a symbolic €1 each.
In September 2003, 22 of the 23 remaining machines were sold to the Polish Air Force for the symbolic price of €1 per item.[104] The last aircraft were transferred in August 2004.
Now you understand why the Poles jumped on the opportunity to get some free modernized F16's
the image that will shock the world into action
