Ukraine crisis: Nato rejects calls for no-fly zone as Russian attacks intensify
- After Friday’s meeting, Nato’s Jens Stoltenberg said: ‘Allies agree that we should not have Nato planes operating over Ukrainian airspace or troops …’
- He also said: ‘the days to come are likely to be worse, with more deaths, more suffering and more destruction’; as more explosions were heard in Kyiv
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday the Western military alliance would not set up a no-fly zone over Ukraine nor send its troops there, but promised other help to Kyiv and urged President Vladimir Putin to immediately end Russia’s invasion.
“This is President Putin’s war, one he has chosen, planned and is waging against a peaceful country. We call on President Putin to stop this war immediately, withdrawal all his forces without conditions and engage in genuine diplomacy now,” Nato’s chief said.
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Nato rejects Ukraine’s request for no-fly zone, fearing expanded war
After a meeting of Nato foreign ministers, Stoltenberg also said: “Allies agree we should not have Nato planes operating in Ukrainian air space or Nato troops on Ukraine’s territory.”
He said what Russia was doing to Ukraine was “horrific”, adding: “We have seen the use of cluster bombs and we have seen reports of use of other types of weapons which would be in violation of international law.”
“At the same time, we have a responsibility as Nato allies to prevent this war from escalating beyond Ukraine because that would be even more dangerous, more devastating and would cause even more human suffering.”
His announcements came as more explosions were heard in Kyiv in a sign Russia’s assault is intensifying.