Putin warns imposing no-fly zone is a declaration of war

Moscow, Mar 5 (EFE).- Russian president Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that imposing a no-fly zone over Ukraine would be a declaration of war.

“Any movement in this direction will be considered by us as participation in an armed conflict by that country,” Putin said during a meeting with female flight crew members of Russian airlines broadcasted on state television.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has requested Nato to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine, but Nato’s chief Jens Stoltenberg said while Nato understood Ukrainian requests, such a measure would involve shooting down Russian planes, which could lead to a “full-fledged” war in Europe.

Putin also warned of the consequences of Ukraine joining Nato.

“We begin to talk more and more actively about the fact that Ukraine will be accepted into Nato. Do you understand what this could lead to?” he said.

While explaining the motives behind Russia’s “special military operation” in its smaller neighbor, the Kremlin leader said that the decision to enter Ukraine was a “difficult” one.

“I said it at the beginning of the operation and before this decision was taken. It was a difficult decision, without a doubt,” Putin said. EFE

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