Should NATO shoot down Russian jets? Macron disagrees with Trump
Photo: Emmanuel Macron, President of France (Getty Images)
French President Emmanuel Macron believes NATO countries should not open fire on Russian aircraft violating allied airspace, Le Figaro reports.
According to Macron, if Russia stages new provocations, including in the airspace of Eastern Europe, NATO members must strengthen their response.
"This means that if someone provokes you again, you should respond a little more strongly," he said.
However, Macron believes that NATO should not shoot down Russian planes even if they enter allied airspace.
The French leader argued there is no need to fire back at these provocations.
As for past Russian provocations, Macron said that NATO had responded proportionately by strengthening its defense.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump stated that NATO members should shoot down Russian aircraft violating their airspace.
Russian provocations
On September 19, Russian MiG-31 fighter jets spent 12 minutes in Estonian airspace.
In response, Estonia’s Foreign Ministry summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires to protest, and the government appealed to NATO allies for consultations under Article 4. Moscow, meanwhile, denies any violation.
NATO said Russian incursions into Estonian airspace are part of Moscow’s irresponsible behavior.
Norway also reported that in 2025, Russia violated its airspace three times, with each incursion lasting from one to four minutes.
At the same time, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it is unlikely any NATO officials would discuss shooting down Russian aircraft unless they launched an attack.
