MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that any country attempting to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine would be considered by Moscow to have entered the conflict.
“Any movement in this direction will be considered by us as participation in an armed conflict by this country,” the Russian leader said during a meeting with Aeroflot officials.
He added that imposing a no-fly zone would have “colossal and catastrophic consequences not only for Europe but for the whole world”.
Putin also dismissed rumors that Russia planned to declare martial law with his country’s military invasion of Ukraine in the second week.
“Martial law should only be introduced in cases where there is external aggression… We are not experiencing that at the moment and I hope we will not,” Putin said.