Russia: Vladimir Putin warns that any no-fly zone over Ukraine will be viewed as an act of war

Vladimir Putin has said any country which imposes a no-fly zone over Ukraine will be joining the conflict.

Ukrainian president Volodymr Zelensky had slammed Nato for refusing to impose a no-fly zone, effectively allowing Russian planes to continue shelling civilians.

Speaking from Kyiv on Friday night, Mr Zelensky said inaction by the West has given Russia “a green light” to continue attacking towns and villages.

The Russian President has responded by saying any nation which imposes a no-fly zone over Ukraine will be considered to have joined the war.

[BrianParkes]

It won't be a no fly zone, its a 'special non-aviation operation'...

[livetorelax]

I'm pretty sure about 2 or 3 years a go, I went to sleep and woke up in some weird alternate universe...watching this has re affirmed my suspicions...very surreal indeed...

[omandc]

It's very hard to understand his views on "act of war" since in Russia right now, people can be thrown in prison for 15 years simply for saying the word "war" 😐

[wakey]

I like how he is pretending this isn't already a war.

[markgendala]

Adolf Hitler in 1938 -
"These Germans in Sudetenland are just like us and - if necessary, I will use force to protect our German people anywhere!"
Sounds familiar, Vladimir?

[scott]

USA: "This isn't a no fly zone, just an airspace quarantine!"

[anthonyjonmorris]

so whats putin saying... invading ukraine bombing and murdering its civilians is not an act of war.

[keneke]

And invading a country isn't an act of war? My father served on the Russian Convoy's along with many others, he would have been devastated what Putin is doing not only to Ukraine but Russian themselves!

[gustav]

How is invading another country not starting a war, shows this guy has totally lost it.

[martiangod]

Why is he using a green screen, is it to hide his location ?
Maybe he thinks other counties are not getting involved but spying and waiting to use a drone strike to wipe him out

[ybxmjvl]

This is like hitting someone and when they raise their hand to defend themselves, they’re accused of assault. This is madness

[rickricardo]

Almost seems as if he wants a no fly zone to give him a reason to make things worse

[pacnite]

Let’s speak facts here. We started this war by insisting that Ukraine join NATO. I don’t blame Putin for not wanting enemy troops and missiles a few hundred miles from Moscow.

[CurbYourGames]

I just love president Putin! He's such a great leader! Thank you!

[rodrigofonseca]

Don't mess with Russia or you will be visited by Mr Sarmat, you morons with your demented president Biden.

[cann]

Well if they don't fly into Ukraines airspace we won't need to declare a no fly zone simple as that🤷‍♂️

[tagbubeatz]

This guy is dictating all the moves on the chess board. I feel bad for Ukraine and their people.

[soda]

Funny how his hand nocliped through the microphone

[gt-njwf]

The language he is using to play down his actions is surreal, calling Ukraine a 'territory' multiple times as if it is not its own country, reducing his invasion as an 'armed conflict' who opposing powers would participate in if they enforce a no fly zone as if its some game, all to water down the truth and make it look like its just a minor event...

edit: Following a few responses below I should say I don't speak Russian so cannot verify if there is any mistranslation in the video. My comment here is only about the language being use which seems to be diffusing a pretty serious situation, though use of language to manipulate the story being told is not just limited to Putin. However, calling a country a 'territory' which seems to sound phonetically similar in Russian does have the impact of reducing the validity of that country on the political stage.

[mervynclaxton]

What if a no fly zone is called "A special military operation"