Former US Special Envoy for Ukraine and US Ambassador to NATO Kurt Walker is convinced that the United States, together with NATO allies, can secure a no-fly zone over Ukraine, despite concerns about a direct conflict with Russia. This was reported by Ukrinform.
He noted that Ukrainians need more Stinger missiles, more Javelins, basic ammunition, and help with air defense.
«I would recommend, and I’m sure, it would be a good idea for us to introduce a no-fly zone, « Walker said during an online conference hosted by the American-Ukrainian Business Council (USUBC).
Initially, he said, this could be done over Kyiv and Western Ukraine – with the participation of allies, in particular, Britain, Poland, and possibly Turkey. Attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure such as nuclear power plants must be prevented in the first place, the former high-ranking diplomat added.
Concerned that this would involve NATO in direct conflict, he said it could still be done on the basis of previous operations, namely – with restrictions on targets, terms of use of components, providing only a no-fly zone, prohibition on Russians to attack others if they themselves have not been attacked.
We will remind that the White House declared that the USA’s introduction of an unmanned zone in the sky of Ukraine is «not the best idea» as it will involve them in direct military conflict with Russia. President Biden said the United States would not go to war with Russian troops in Ukraine, although the U.S. military provided weapons, and said Saturday that he would provide up to $350 million in additional military assistance, including «lethal defense assistance.»
Translated by Vitalii Holich
You can read a Ukrainian language version of this story here.
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