On Friday, September 26th, the Kremlin slammed the suggestion that NATO allies should shoot down Russian planes entering their airspace as “reckless”—after U.S. president Donald Trump encouraged alliance members to do so.
Several NATO countries say Russian fighter planes and UAVs have violated their airspace in Europe in the past few weeks, accusing Moscow of testing the alliance’s resolve.
When asked on Tuesday whether he believed NATO members should shoot down Russian aircraft violating their airspace, Trump responded unequivocally: “Yes, I do.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday denounced in an interview with Russian state TV what he called
irresponsible statements about the need to shoot down Russian aircraft, which are, at the very least, reckless, irresponsible and carry dangerous consequences.
However, NATO secretary general Mark Rutte also expressed his agreement with Trump’s statement, telling Fox News “I totally agree here with President Trump,” adding that NATO “will also do more, and if necessary, the ultimate to protect our people.”
