NATO on Friday rejected Ukrainian calls for help to protect its skies from Russian warplanes, wary of being dragged into Moscow’s war on its neighbour, but Europe promised more sanctions to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin.Â
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had appealed to NATO to declare a no-fly zone over his country, which Russian forces invaded by land, sea and air on Feb. 24.
“We are not part of this conflict,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in denying Ukraine’s request.
“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,” he said following a NATO meeting in Brussels.
Ukraine, an ex-Soviet republic, wants to join the European Union and NATO, moves Moscow sees as threatening its security and influence. Russian forces have shelled residential areas and civilian infrastructure since unleasing their assault, as well as capturing two nuclear sites.
While the West condemned Putin, members of the 30-strong NATO, bound to defend each other in case of attack, are wary of getting into a war with nuclear-armed Russia. The EU threatened more sanctions but it was not clear what ammunition it had left.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the alliance would defend “every inch” of NATO territory from attack. “Ours is a defensive alliance. We seek no conflict. But if conflict comes to us, we are ready,” he said. (Reuters)
