Putin warns the West: Participation will be considered a war

The Russian President said, in a statement, Saturday, that everything is going as planned in Ukraine so far, and that Russia will complete its goals within the framework of the planned military operation. It’s Reuters reports.

In the same speech, Putin took a hard line against the West, saying that sanctions against Russia are the same as a declaration of war.

At the same time, he defends Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying that they should defend Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine, as well as their own interests.

In the speech, he reiterated that Russia wants to “disarm” Ukraine and that the country must declare itself neutral, writes Sky News.

It would be a declaration of war

In the speech, Putin warned that Western countries would join forces in a no-fly zone over Ukraine. He said that a third party declaration of a no-fly zone would be considered participation in the war.

“Any step in this direction will be considered participation in the armed conflict,” the president said. France Press agency.

In a meeting with the pilots, Putin said that a no-fly zone from Western countries would pose a threat to Russian forces.

Serious escalation

Tom Rosyth, associate professor and chair of the Ukraine program at the Norwegian Defense College, says the development in Putin’s rhetoric is dangerous.

– It’s a dangerous escalation of speech. So far, Putin has shown that what he says he does. So I think it might be in order to legitimize anti-Western reactions to sanctions, says Rosth.

The change in wording comes several days after the sanctions were imposed, and Rasith is clear on who is behind the escalation of the situation.

– It is running. That’s another element, and it’s always Putin who sparks it. He is the one who escalates the situation.

– He’s pretty much lonely

He says it is not clear what the Russian president’s goal of the strategy is, but it seems that anti-Western sanctions against Western sanctions are part of the plan.

It has held back a lot of the Air Force for a long time, but we can probably expect more there. There are also other tools he has, for example, an increase in the military presence in Western countries.

Rosth says the escalation apparently comes from a guy who’s too stressed, crammed into a corner.

– Even China doesn’t actively support him now, so he’s quite lonely, says Rosth.

How alone, however, is difficult to say. Internationally, he is very lonely – apart from the support he receives from the President of Belarus Lukashenko.

I’m not sure who’s injured

The Associated Press says it’s clear that Putin’s comments are purposeful. He says other reactions can be expected from Russia, but it is somewhat unclear who will be affected.

However, it is very likely that there will be backlashes of a military nature, and Rosth believes that they will come at least against Ukraine. Whether others would be affected is not sure.

– If Putin wants to get into the screws of Ukraine, it will be to use the Air Force. He has the opportunity to bombard cities to a greater extent, and it will be possible to use the Black Sea Fleet.

Zelensky accused NATO

On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a video speech accusing NATO of giving the Russians the green light for more bombing of Ukrainian cities.

“All who die in the future will die because of the weakness of NATO and the lack of unity,” Zelensky said in his speech.

Zelensky asked NATO to create a no-fly zone over Ukraine, but NATO and the genus Stoltenberg refused.

Stoltenberg justified the decision on the grounds that the flight ban on Ukraine might drag other European countries into the war, as NATO had to send fighter planes to enforce the ban.

“It will increase danger and devastation, and cause more human suffering,” Stoltenberg said.