Ukrainian officials and defenders are calling for western countries to impose a no-fly zone over its territory. 

Russia has continued its persistent attacks on the neighbouring state and has targeted Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

A no-fly zone would mean all unauthorised aircrafts would be banned from flying over Ukraine.

Western states fear the move would risk a direct military conflict with Russia that could escalate into a wider European war.

But ANU Centre for European Studies Research Fellow Sonia Mycak told Sofie Formica it’s imperative Russian President Vladimir Putin is stopped now.

“This is already a kind of European war, there’s already threats against the rest of Europe,” she said.

“For example, he’s also now threatened Finland – that should Finland even consider joining NATO, there will be a war on them.

“The way to stop it becoming a third world war is to now stop Putin.”

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