No one wants anti-Russian sanctions, they affect everyone: NATO chief

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The introduction of sanctions against Russia by NATO member states meant support for Ukraine in the current situation, the alliance's secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said Friday, though he did underline the adverse effect of these punitive measures on everyone.

No one wants these sanctions, Stoltenberg stressed. "Of course, these sanctions are costly for the whole world, including for those countries imposing the sanctions."

He did note, however, that they needed to "react", accusing Russia of violating international law and "invading" Ukraine. He also reminded that 140 UN member states "strongly condemned" the Russian special military operation in Ukraine.

"NATO and NATO allies have imposed serious sanctions to put maximum pressure on Russia. That increases the likelihood for them at some stage accepting that they have to sit down at the negotiating table," Stoltenberg claimed, as the sanctions on Moscow have been affecting the global economy, with the Russian ruble losing around 40% of its value and energy prices in the West, mainly the US, rising to unprecedented levels.

In fact, oil prices in the US have reached levels they had not reached in times of financial crises, such as the 2008 Global Financial Crisis.

NATO understands Ukraine 'frustration' over no-fly zone decision

The western alliance "understands the frustration" in Ukraine, according to Stoltenberg, who added that "an escalation beyond Ukraine's borders would actually just cause even more suffering [and] more death." 

"Implementing a no-fly zone in Ukraine would mean massive airstrikes against Russian air defense systems, leading to direct confrontation with Russia," Stoltenberg said.

Ukraine has long been asking NATO and the United States to impose a no-fly zone in its airspace, but Brussels and Washington have dismissed the requests.

White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said last week that the United States is not interested in the establishment of a no-fly zone over Ukraine since it would require the military to shoot down Russian airplanes, which would lead to a war with Russia.

During a press briefing, she said, "The United States is not interested in no-fly zone because [it] requires essentially US military shooting down Russian planes, war with Russia, that is a step we want to avoid."

Kiev had made an admission that establishing a no-fly zone over Ukraine as Russia's special military operation in the country continues could potentially lead to a direct war between the Russian Federation and NATO through Andriy Yermak, head of Volodymyr Zelensky's office. However, it was still reiterating the plea for the action.