Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul told MSNBC’s Katy Tur on Tuesday that he does not enhance a no-fly zone over Ukraine and believes that anyone advocating for one must call it what it truly is a willingness to “declare conflict.”

“I disagree with Alex. I think a no-fly zone is the mistaken transfer. I reinforce the president of america on that,” McFaul started out the phase, referencing Alexander Vindman who is looking for a no-fly zone.

“Let’s simply eliminate this euphemism ‘no-fly zone,’” McFaul argued. “Call it for what it’s. It’s battle. If we try to implement a no-fly zone, that signifies that an American pilot has to shoot down a Russian pilot.”

“And if we try this, that may be a statement of warfare and Vladimir Putin has been clear that that’s the means he sees it. And if the American individuals want to go to battle with Russia, I believe it could be a mistake, but if we’re ready to do it, then we should have a vote in the U.S. Congress,” he persisted.

“Since the Congress is meant to declare warfare. That’s what we need to do first,” McFaul brought, ahead of doubling down on the wish to stop referring to it as a no-fly zone:

We must stop calling it a no-fly zone and we should begin calling it a statement to go to battle and I don’t think that that’s the right thing to do presently. Everything in need of that I strengthen one hundred%. Each weapon device in the world that we are able to send to them, but I don’t suppose that it is smart to ship American infantrymen to fight Putin squaddies.

“What about this idea of a limited no-fly zone, one that protects humanitarian routes? “ Tur then requested.

“Once more, these are my chums that put that letter out. I chose to not sign that letter,” McFaul mentioned, referencing a letter from 27 international policy specialists calling for a limited no-fly zone over Ukraine.

“I’ve signed different ones with them. I selected no longer to do that now. If you want to get a assure blessed through the United Countries with Russia and Ukraine all collectively that all of us recognize these corridors as being free and protected, then we must imagine it. However we haven’t done that but,” McFaul persisted.

“And so I simply assume that — I don’t assume that we will have to go to war with Russia at this time. The whole thing else, sure. I’m now not prepared to head to that degree along with my colleagues,” he concluded.

Watch the whole clip above by means of MSNBC

The put up Cease Calling It a ‘No-Fly Zone,’ Begin Calling it a ‘Announcement To Go To War Towards Russia’ Says Ex-Ambassador on MSNBC first appeared on Mediaite.