'If necessary': Rutte responds to Trump’s idea of shooting down Russian aircraft
Photo: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte supported US President Donald Trump’s idea that Alliance member countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if they violate their airspace, Reuters reports.
Rutte emphasized that such actions are possible only if necessary.
"If so necessary. So I totally agree here with President Trump: if so necessary," said the NATO Secretary General.
According to him, NATO military personnel receive specialized training to assess such threats.
They are trained to determine whether Russian aircraft can simply be escorted out of Alliance territory or if further measures, including a potential shoot-down, are required.
Trump’s idea
Previously, US President Donald Trump stated that NATO member countries should shoot down Russian aircraft that violate the airspace of Alliance members.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also believes that NATO can take strong measures if Russian aircraft enter Alliance airspace. Europe must protect every part of its territory.
Lithuania considers it appropriate to shoot down enemy fighters in its own airspace but emphasizes that managing escalation is crucial to avoid worsening the crisis.
At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron believes that NATO countries should not open fire on Russian aircraft violating the airspace.
