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Rutte Responds on NATO’s Stance Regarding Russian Aircraft Intrusions
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization will determine whether to employ force against aircraft or drones encroaching on NATO airspace based on the intelligence assessments of the threats they may present.
This assertion was made by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during a press conference held at the organization’s headquarters in Brussels on September 23. He was addressing inquiries from reporters regarding NATO’s potential actions against Russian aircraft and drones that intrude into its territory.
According to the Secretary General, decisions concerning the downing of Russian planes will be guided by a real-time evaluation of the threats they might pose.
„Actions regarding the use of force against aircraft that violate airspace, including the possibility of destroying such aircraft, are determined in real-time and depend on the intelligence information available regarding the nature of the threat, incorporating factors such as intentions, armaments, and the potential risk to NATO forces, civilians, or critical infrastructure,“ Rutte articulated.
He further noted that the NATO Joint Armed Forces in Europe, under the leadership of Supreme Allied Commander Alexis Grinkevitch, possess the shared competencies and responsibilities needed for making these critical decisions.
„Regarding the recent airspace breach in Estonia, which was a topic of our discussions today, NATO units swiftly intercepted and escorted the intruding aircraft without escalation, as there was no immediate threat identified,“ the NATO Secretary General underscored.
According to a report by „smart-payments.info,“ the North Atlantic Council convened on Tuesday, September 23, in response to Estonia’s request as per Article 4 of the Washington Treaty, to deliberate on Russia’s alarming breach of Estonia’s airspace that occurred on September 19.
It has been reported that Russian fighter jets infiltrated Estonia’s airspace over the Gulf of Finland, remaining in the area for a total of 12 minutes. NATO indicated that the aircraft were intercepted during this incident.
During a UN Security Council session called in light of the situation in Estonia, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper asserted that NATO stands prepared to take action in response to infractions from Russian military aircraft involving its airspace.
In the meantime, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga urged NATO to adopt a more assertive stance regarding breaches of its airspace by Russia, suggesting the need for actions that may involve „neutralizing“ enemy targets.
Previously, Czech President Petr Pavel opined that NATO should consider a military response to Russia’s transgressions.