Lavrov warns NATO would 'seriously regret' shooting down Russian air objects
Photo: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (Getty Images)
NATO countries would "seriously regret" deciding to shoot down Russian air objects in Russian airspace, reports Russian media, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov.
Lavrov issued the threat after several NATO countries said they were ready to shoot down Russian air objects if they violated allied airspace. It is unclear why he specifically mentioned Russian airspace.
"If NATO countries try to shoot down aircraft in Russian airspace, they will seriously regret it," Lavrov said, speaking to an almost empty conference hall.
Recently, Bloomberg reported that European diplomats warned Moscow about their readiness to shoot down Russian aircraft. According to these reports, any future provocations involving Russian planes would end with their destruction.
Despite the positions of some NATO members, Poland and Sweden said they were ready to shoot down Russian planes and drones. US President Donald Trump supported the idea, saying NATO members must target Russian aircraft that violate their airspace.
It was likely after these statements that Russian Ambassador to France Alexey Meshkov claimed that shooting down a Russian plane by a Western country would allegedly mean "NATO is at war with Russia." On September 27, Lavrov joined in issuing his own threats.
A laughingstock, not a diplomat
Lavrov delivered his outlandish claims from the UN podium to an almost empty hall, as most diplomats left rather than listen.
Shortly before that, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte mocked Lavrov, advising not to pay him much attention.
"Lavrov, I mean, he is the Foreign Minister of Russia... I think, since the birth of Jesus Christ. And since then, nothing, anything useful came out of his mouth. So let's not pay too much attention to Mr. Lavrov," the Secretary General joked.
