🧵: Zelensky has urged Western leaders to impose a "no-fly zone" over Ukraine. So far, the U.S. and other major powers have ruled out establishing an NFZ over Ukraine.
A no-fly zone is airspace certain aircraft are not allowed to enter. In wars, NFZs are used to stop banned aircraft from launching attacks, transporting troops, etc.
NFZs must be enforced militarily, which can include shooting down banned aircraft. axios.com/ukraine-no-fly…
Zelensky has asked for an NFZ several times.
He said if the U.S. and NATO will not establish an NFZ, they should provide warplanes so Ukraine can defend itself. axios.com/ukraine-no-fly…
If Western countries impose an NFZ, they would be responsible for enforcing it, which could mean bringing down Russian military planes.
Unlike past conflicts in which NFZs have been enforced, Russia has a sophisticated military and is a nuclear power. axios.com/ukraine-no-fly…
There are also major logistical hurdles.
Not only would NATO need to decide which countries would be responsible for it, the alliance would also have to figure out a defense system for monitoring and enforcing it. axios.com/ukraine-no-fly…
Biden has repeatedly said the U.S. won't send troops to fight Russia, including to enforce an NFZ.
Psaki: "It would require... the U.S. military shooting down Russian planes and causing ... a potential direct war with Russia — something we want to avoid." axios.com/ukraine-no-fly…
NFZs have been used in 3 countries before:
🇱🇾 Libya
🇧🇦 Bosnia
🇮🇶 Iraq
But, the militaries of the U.S. and other countries enforcing the NFZs were vastly superior to those they faced in these cases. axios.com/ukraine-no-fly…
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
NEW: An adviser to Zelensky tweeted that negotiators were on their way to a second round of peace talks with Russia.
Russia's foreign minister said earlier that Russia would not stop its attack as a precondition to talks, despite Ukraine's demands. trib.al/bDIMNcD
Russian forces stepped up their assault on major Ukrainian population centers today, appearing to capture the strategic southern port city of Kherson while turning to siege tactics elsewhere in the face of fierce resistance. axios.com/ukraine-civili…
LATEST: A second round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine were set to begin at 9am ET.
An adviser to Zelensky told Axios Ukraine's initial goals were a moderate ceasefire and an agreement to establish a humanitarian corridor. axios.com/ukraine-civili…
@mikeallen@margarettalev@SenatorTimScott@SecMartyWalsh .@SecMartyWalsh On bipartisanship and progress: "When you look at those spaces where you find common ground and agreement, the President found it in infrastructure...he found it in 70 pieces of legislation across the country, you find it in community colleges in a big way."
@mikeallen@margarettalev@SenatorTimScott@SecMartyWalsh .@SecMartyWalsh On expanding access to mental health services: "The President is really committed to tackling the issue of mental health and substance use disorder, as well as creating pathways into those professions for people."
LATEST: More than 2,000 civilians have been killed since the beginning of the Russian invasion, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service.
Attacks on civilian areas have increased in the last 48 hours, but the death toll is impossible to verify. trib.al/mWIIE9N
In a defiant address as a seventh day of war began, Zelensky said the war unified Ukrainians like nothing before.
"We forgave each other. We started loving each other. We help each other. We are worried for each other." axios.com/ukraine-civili…
The Russian plan to sprint to Kyiv and force a swift capitulation has faltered under stout Ukrainian resistance.
But Russian forces are taking towns and cities, particularly in the south, and intensifying bombardments of cities like Kharkiv in the east. axios.com/ukraine-civili…
HAPPENING NOW: Biden is minutes away from starting his first #SOTU2022 address.
Follow this thread for updates ⬇️
Biden will emphasize the U.S. and NATO's prepared response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's "premeditated and unprovoked" invasion of Ukraine in his #SOTU2022 address tonight, according to excerpts from his speech. axios.com/russia-ukraine…
Ukrainian ambassador Oksana Markarova is one of First Lady Jill Biden's guests at the State of the Union address tonight.
LATEST: Zelensky released a new video accusing Russia of war crimes for its siege of civilian areas in Kharkiv, a mostly Russian-speaking city near the border.
"It is a conscious destruction of people. Russians knew where they were shooting." axios.com/ukraine-russia…
The southeastern port city of Mariupol has been surrounded and "has practically no electricity and centralized heating," according to the mayor.
U.S. officials say Russia wants to seize Mariupol and Kharkiv to section off eastern Ukraine. axios.com/ukraine-russia…
Norway has become the latest NATO country to commit to sending military aid to Ukraine, pledging up to 2,000 M72 anti-tank grenade launchers. axios.com/ukraine-russia…