Rubio comments on whether NATO will intercept Russian aircraft violating airspace
Photo: Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State (Getty Images)
NATO countries plan to shoot down only those Russian aircraft that attack their territory, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, CBS News reports.
Rubio was asked whether the US is ready to take part in shooting down Russian planes that violate NATO airspace.
He stated that it is unlikely any NATO officials have discussed shooting down Russian aircraft unless they carry out attacks.
"I think what you have seen is NATO responding to those intrusions the way we respond to them all the time, and that is when they enter your airspace or your defense zone, you go up and you intercept them. And that’s what NATO has done, and that’s what NATO will continue to do," Rubio said.
He also reminded that at a UN Security Council meeting, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz made it clear that the US will work with allies to protect "every inch" of NATO territory.
Sikorski’s warning
Last week, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace, following Russian drones’ intrusion into Polish airspace.
In response, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski directly warned Russian officials at the UN Security Council not to complain if a Russian drone or aircraft is shot down after another such provocation.
At the same time, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that decisions to shoot down such aircraft will be made based on intelligence regarding the level of threat.
