NATO Can't Implement No-Fly Zone, Kyiv Mayor: Give Us Modern Weapons, We'll Close Ourselves

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. (Source: Kyivcity.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - Kyiv Mayor and former world heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko said all Ukrainians are ready to take up arms, including to close their own airspace, something the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) cannot do.

Ukraine has repeatedly called on the US-led alliance to impose a no-go zone in its airspace, which it says is necessary to protect civilians from Russian attacks.

But Western allies have ruled out a no-fly zone, saying they want to avoid a direct military confrontation with Russia.

If NATO cannot grant Ukraine no-fly zone status, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged the world to provide additional military assistance.

"Please, give us modern weapons and we ourselves will close the air over our heads", he was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera on March 15.

Meanwhile, the United States and NATO have been rapidly sending weapons to Ukraine, sending anti-tank guns and Stinger surface-to-air missiles, among other weapons.

Western arms deliveries have been crucial in enabling Ukraine to counter Russian forces so far.

"Everyone of every profession, ready to take up arms and ready to defend our future", said Klitschko.

"We defend the principles, we maintain the same values, it is very important now to help Ukraine. Because this war can touch anyone, not only in Europe", he explained.

Previously, NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, had said that if all allies agreed, imposing a no-fly zone would be tantamount to triggering a deeper conflict with Russia.

"If we do that, we will end up with something that could end in a full-fledged war in Europe, involving more countries and causing more human suffering", Stoltenberg said.

Stoltenberg said all the allies had agreed to strengthen deterrence and defense on land, in the air and at sea. Allies from North America and Europe have sent thousands more troops to the east of the alliance.

"We will continue to do what is necessary to protect and defend every inch of NATO territory. NATO is a defensive alliance. Our core task is to keep our thirty countries safe. We are not part of this conflict. NATO is not seeking war with Russia", Stoltenberg said.