Putin repeated that he aspires to defend Russian- speaking communities through the "demilitarization and deNazification" of the country so that Russia's former Soviet neighbor became neutral and no longer threatened Russia.
Ukraine and Western countries have dismissed this as a baseless pretext for the invasion he launched on Feb. 24 and have imposed a sweeping range of sanctions aimed at isolating Moscow.
"These sanctions that are being imposed are akin to a declaration of war but thank God it has not come to that," Putin said, speaking to a group of flight attendants at an Aeroflot training center near Moscow.
WATCH: 1940'S FOOTAGE OF THE TALLEST MAN TO EVER LIVE
He said any endeavor by another power to impose a no-fly zone in Ukraine would be considered by Russia to be a step into the military conflict. Such a step he said would have catastrophic consequences for Europe and the world.
BRIDGING THE GAP: ONE PROGRAM'S MISSION TO CONNECT YOUTH ACROSS AMERICA'S RED AND BLUE DIVIDE
The NATO military alliance has dismissed Kyiv's application for a no-fly zone, on the grounds it would worsen the war beyond Ukraine into a far wider conflict, potentially pitting the United States against Russia.
"GOING TO PLAN"
WATCH: THIS IS A TEACHER! LISTEN TO HIM ADVOCATE FOR MORE RACISM
Asked about reports that Russian conscripts had been used in Ukraine, Putin said none had been involved and said the military operation was going to plan.
"There is not one conscript and we don't plan for there to be," Putin said. "Our army will fulfill all the tasks. I don't doubt that at all. Everything is going to plan."
TURKISH PRESIDENT'S DANGEROUS GAME: HOW HIS SUPPORT FOR HAMAS IS TESTING NATO'S LIMITS
That description was at odds with estimates from U.S. and British officials. British military intelligence said on Thursday that Russia's advance on the Ukrainian capital had made little progress and met stubborn resistance.
Putin ignored concerns that some sort of martial law or emergency situation could be declared in Russia. He said such a measure was imposed only when there was significant internal or external threat.
ISRAELI MILITARY INTELLIGENCE CHIEF STEPS DOWN FOLLOWING MAJOR OCTOBER 7 FAILURE
"We don't plan to introduce any kind of special regime on Russian territory - there is currently no need," Putin said.
FAITH, KNOWLEDGE, AND EXCELLENCE: CATHOLIC HIGHER EDUCATION STEPPING IT UP AMID WOKE CULTURE
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the West was acting like a thief by cutting economic relations over the conflict in Ukraine but that Russia was far too big to be isolated as the world was much larger than just the United States and Europe.
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
