Moscow warned the US and NATO with a tough response because of the idea to close the skies over Ukraine

The Kremlin warned the US and NATO after discussing possible closing the sky over Ukraine. Moscow says such a move would mean direct involvement of the alliance in the war.

The reason was statements by US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, where he discussed the situation with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. When asked about a possible no-fly zone over Ukraine, Trump, according to the Associated Press, replied that such an option is possible “if necessary,” although at the same time he said that if a peace agreement is reached, such a measure may not be necessary.

In Moscow these words were perceived as a dangerous signal. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that an attempt to close Ukrainian airspace by US or NATO forces would actually mean the participation of alliance military forces in the conflict.

According to PBS citing APPeskov emphasized that it would no longer be about arms supplies or political support, but about NATO’s direct military presence in Ukrainian skies.

Moscow talks about escalation

The Kremlin also criticized Washington’s position regarding Ukrainian strikes deep into Russian territory. According to ReutersPeskov said the United States is mistaken if it believes that expanding Ukrainian strikes against Russian targets could bring the end of the war closer.

“La fermeture de l’espace aérien ukrainien par les États-Unis et l’OTAN constituerait un casus belli pour le Kremlin.”
Ce serait la première étape du déclenchement de la guerre sur le continent européen entre les États-Unis et leurs alliés de l’OTAN et la Russie.

Décidément,… pic.twitter.com/fHHmgREFcj

— Rémi Philiponet?? (@remi_philiponet) July 9, 2026

According to him, such logic, on the contrary, will lead to the continuation of the conflict and force Russia to create a wider “security zone” or “buffer zone.” In other words, Moscow is sending a signal: the further Ukrainian drones fly, the further, according to its version, the line of threat should move back.

This statement came against the backdrop of new Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil facilities. The Associated Press reports that Ukrainian drones attacked fuel infrastructure facilities in Russia, as well as oil tankers in the Azov Sea area. Kyiv calls such strikes a way to transfer the consequences of the war to Russian territory.

Why no-fly zone is the most dangerous scenario

The no-fly zone over Ukraine means more than just a political statement. To effectively close airspace, Western forces would have to control the skies, track Russian aircraft and missiles, and, if necessary, shoot down targets.

That is why this scenario was considered one of the most risky from the very beginning of the war. It could create a direct clash between Russia and NATO, that is, between a nuclear power and a military alliance. Humanity, as usual, confidently pokes a stick at a working transformer and pretends that this is a “diplomatic discussion.”

Moscow has more than once called the direct participation of NATO forces on Ukrainian territory a red line. Now the idea of ​​closing the Ukrainian skies, if it is ensured by the United States or alliance countries, is actually included in the same category.

What the USA and Ukraine are saying

Washington, according to the AP, simultaneously talks about supporting Ukraine and the need to find a path to peace. Trump also said that the United States is ready to grant Ukraine a license to produce Patriot interceptor missiles, which should strengthen Ukrainian air defense.

For Kyiv, the issue of air defense remains key: Ukrainian cities are regularly attacked by missiles and drones. Zelensky has long sought to strengthen the protection of Ukrainian skies, but the format of this protection remains politically explosive.

The difference between the supply of air defense systems to Ukraine and the direct closure of the skies by NATO forces is fundamental. In the first case, Ukraine itself uses the transferred systems. In the second, Western military personnel potentially become direct participants in hostilities.

Iranian factor

Peskov also said that Moscow sees a serious deterioration in the situation around Iran. This comment shows that the Kremlin does not view the Ukrainian crisis in isolation, but in the broader context of the confrontation with the West and instability in the Middle East.

For Russia, the simultaneous aggravation in Ukraine, around Iran and in relations with NATO creates a convenient frame for the thesis of “global escalation.” For the West, in turn, this is another argument to strengthen the defense of Ukraine and the eastern flank of the alliance. As a result, both sides publicly talk about peace, but practical steps increasingly resemble preparations for the worst-case scenario.

What is important to understand

At the moment, there is no decision to create a no-fly zone over Ukraine. We are talking about political statements, discussions and the Kremlin’s reaction to a possible scenario.

Nevertheless, the very fact that this topic has returned to the public agenda shows how dangerously the frame of discussion is shifting. Until recently, no-fly zone was considered an almost taboo topic due to the risk of direct war between Russia and NATO. Now it again sounds at the level of statements by the American president.

Editorial comment

The story of the no-fly zone over Ukraine is dangerous precisely because the simple formula “close the sky” hides not a humanitarian gesture, but possible direct military clash between NATO and Russia. The Kremlin uses such statements for warnings and pressure, the West – to demonstrate support for Kyiv. But the more often the parties test each other’s strength, the higher the risk that one day a political signal will be mistaken for a military step.

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