* Russian leader Vladimir Putin issued a series of bloodcurdling threats of war with the West on Saturday
* Kremlin despot called West's economic, diplomatic and cultural boycott tantamount to a declaration of war
* He also called a potential third party declaration of no-fly zone over Ukraine 'participation in armed conflict'
* Ukraine's president has lashed out at NATO powers for refusing to impose a no-fly zone over his country
* NATO rejected calls, saying a no-fly zone could provoke widespread war in Europe with nuclear-armed Russia
* Russia is waging a 'war of terror' against civilians after attempts to rapidly capture Ukraine failed
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has escalated his rhetoric in his confrontation with the West, saying that sanctions against Russia are tantamount to a declaration of war and threatening to treat any country that declares a no-fly zone over Ukraine as part of the conflict.
The threats came as Moscow's brutal assault on Ukraine saw a mass civilian evacuation from the city of Mariupol derailed when Russian forces ignored a promised humanitarian ceasefire and continued shelling the southern city.
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Russian President Putin Says Western Sanctions Are Like A Declaration Of War
Putin says Western sanctions are akin to declaration of war -- Reuters
Putin says sanctions over Ukraine are like a declaration of war -- BBC
Defiant Putin warns the west: your sanctions are akin to an act of war -- The Guardian
Putin says Ukraine’s future in doubt as cease-fires collapse -- AP
Ukraine invasion: Western sanctions 'equivalent to declaring war' Putin claims as he defends military action -- SKY News