The President of the Commission, Ursula von der Layensaid on Wednesday that the choice of collapsing a fighter aircraft entering NATO’s airspace is “on the table”.
The statement by von der Laien comes after multiple Russian invasions of NATO’s airspace this month, including Poland, Romania and Estonia, which put Europe on a high alert state.
“My point is that we have to defend every square centimeter of the ground,” von der Layen said in an interview with CNN. “This means that, in the event of an invasion of airspace, after warning and after we have clarified our position, of course there is the option of breaking up a fighter aircraft that invades our airspace.”
It is recalled that on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump sent a hard message to Moscowsaying that the countries of NATO Russian aircraft that violate their airspace must be shot down, while on the US stance he stressed that it “depends on the circumstances”. “Yes, I believe,” he answered a question during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Shortly afterwards, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaf Sikorski responded to a video told Trump on the issue, saying “received”. Speaking to the British LBC radio station on Wednesday, Sikorski explained: “The army has a duty to protect its territory as in the air, and we will do what is necessary.” However, he said, it is preferable to “to prevent drones and rockets over Ukrainian soil before threatening to cause damage to lives and property over NATO territory.”
Russian intervention in Europe is nothing new and is not limited to air invasions. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Moscow has intensified espionage activities, cyberattacks and intervention campaigns in the elections of European countries, Politico commented.
“Russia is testing the limits in all areas,” von der Laien told CNN. “It is a hybrid war we have been experiencing for many years, which Russia is waging against the Republics of the European Union. And that’s why we react to all areas. And as I said, it’s NATO’s decision, but I would like to be very clear: you won’t touch our territory. “
Source :Skai
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