The creation of a no-fly zone over Ukraine threatens a war with Russia. This was announced on March 3 by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.
“The United States does not intend to create a no-fly zone over Ukraine, this could lead to a war with Russia, Washington wants to avoid exactly this,” the US administration official said.
On March 2, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said that the introduction of a no-fly zone over Ukraine could provoke a military conflict between the United States and Russia. He also stressed the need to avoid the use of nuclear weapons by any means.
On March 1, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, in a conversation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, announced the need to close the sky over Ukraine, explaining that on the ground the Ukrainian military would be able to resist the Russian Armed Forces. Then he repeated his request several times, but Western countries emphasize the danger of this idea.
Thus, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson noted that NATO cannot provide a no-fly zone over Ukraine, because this would lead to a direct clash with Russia, and the consequences of this could get out of control. A similar position was expressed by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. A similar position is also held by US President Joe Biden.
The situation in Donbass escalated on February 17, 2022. In the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR), heavy shelling by Ukrainian security forces, including from heavy weapons, was reported. The republics announced a general mobilization, the evacuation of civilians to the territory of Russia, and also asked to recognize their independence. On February 21, the President of the Russian Federation signed decrees recognizing their sovereignty.
On February 24, the Russian leader announced the launch of a special operation of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, calling its goal the protection of the civilian population of Donbass, the denationalization and demilitarization of the country.
For more up-to-date videos and details about the situation in Donbass, watch the Izvestia TV channel.