In a recent interview, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that countries imposing sanctions on his country were declaring war on him.
The President warned that any attempt to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine would have catastrophic consequences for the rest of the world if it was successful.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin claimed that his intentions in invading Ukraine were merely to defend Russian-speaking communities in the country by "demilitarising and de-nazifying" the country.
He stated that he had a responsibility to ensure that Russia's former Soviet neighbour became neutral and no longer posed a threat to his nation.
Russia's President, Vladimir Putin, said in a speech to a group of Aeroflot flight attendants at an Aeroflot training centre near Moscow: "These sanctions that are being imposed are equivalent to a declaration of war, but thank God it has not come to that."
Any attempt by "another power to impose a no-fly zone in Ukraine" would be considered by Russia as "a step into the military conflict," according to the Russian leader.
According to him, such a move "would have catastrophic consequences for Europe and the rest of the world.
President Putin went on to say that the invasion of Ukraine was proceeding according to plan and that the situation was under control.
He categorically denied reports that Russian conscripts had been used in Ukraine, stating that none had been involved, and insisted that his military is capable of carrying out his objectives in the country's capital.
No conscripts are present, and there are no plans to have any in the future," says the captain.
"Our army will complete all of the assigned tasks." That is something I have no doubt about. "Everything is proceeding according to plan," Putin stated.