Rep. Sara Jacobs rejected calls Saturday for the United States and NATO to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine, saying it could drag America into war with Russia.
Government officials in the embattled eastern European county have pleaded for a no-fly zone as Russian troops close in on the capital Kiyv, and Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger, a former Air Force pilot, has supported the idea.
But Jacobs, who represents central San Diego County and serves on the Armed Services Committee, said a no-fly zone would be tantamount to the U.S. declaring war on Russia.
“A no-fly zone is enforced, not declared. It requires our fighter jets to go directly against Russian fighter jets, to get them to stay out of a certain airspace,” said Jacobs.
“If the United States were to do this, our fighter jets would potentially have to shoot down Russian jets. This would mean the United States declaring war on Russia.”
She said the United States and NATO must support Ukraine, but do so in other ways, such as providing arms.
“It’s understandable to want to do more. But we must understand what is at stake,” she said. “The risks of two nuclear powers going to war are dramatically increased by a no-fly zone. “
On Sunday morning, after holding off the Russian onslaught against the capital Kiyv for a fourth night, the two sides agreed to meet for negotiations at the border with Belarus.
The United States and other NATO countries are rushing supplies of portable antitank and antiaircraft missiles to the embattled democracy.