Any calls for NATO to enforce a no-fly zone in Ukraine would be irresponsible and could drag the military alliance into direct conflict with Russia, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said on Friday.

"I believe that all encouragements for NATO to get involved into the military conflict now are irresponsible," Simonyte told a news conference in Vilnius.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called for Western allies to enforce a no-fly zone since Moscow’s invasion started nine days ago, with Russia shelling cities and bringing fighting to Europe’s largest nuclear plant.

Western powers have already punished Russia including with restrictions on central bank activities and by seizing assets from billionaire oligarchs.

NATO members have sent arms to Ukraine, but stopped short of military action that would put them in direct conflict with nuclear-armed Russia.

On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the alliance would defend “every inch” of NATO territory from attack. Ukraine, a former Soviet republic and Moscow satellite that wants to join the European Union and the Western military club, is not a currently a member of either.

“Ours is a defensive alliance. We seek no conflict. But if conflict comes to us, we are ready for it,” Blinken said.

While some NATO countries indicated a willingness to discuss a no-fly zone, they made clear their reservations.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said that NATO must avoid triggering a wider conflict. France’s presidential office described the request for a no-fly zone as “very difficult to satisfy.”