No-fly zone in Ukraine worth the risks; Putin may attack Western nations anyway, GOP rep says

U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., says he supports imposing a no-fly zone over Ukraine, despite the risks involved with the U.S. shooting down Russian aircraft and escalating the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pleaded for NATO to enforce a no-fly zone over his country, but the U.S. and European nations have opposed the move.

“I absolutely do support a no-fly zone over the Ukraine,” Mast told Fox News. He clarified that he doesn’t think anyone “wants to be in a ground conflict in the Ukraine.”

Such an order could lead to a war between the Kremlin and Western nations, since it would mean NATO forces, including the U.S. military, shooting down Russian jets violating the ban. It would effectively pit superpowers with nuclear capability against each other.

“One-hundred percent, there is risk if the United States or NATO or the [European Union] or anybody starts to enforce a no-fly zone,” the Florida Republican said. “Nobody should have that kind of illusion that it’s not.”

Numerous U.S. leaders and politicians have said enforcing a no-fly zone could lead to World War III.

But Mast, an Army veteran, said the risk is necessary, given Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unpredictability.

“As much as none of us want to be in the Ukraine, if we do nothing, ultimately, everybody will be forced to be in the Ukraine as a result,” Mast, who lost both his legs in Afghanistan, told Fox News.

Mast said Putin may ultimately drag NATO and the U.S. into military conflict, even without a no-fly zone.

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