In response to recent airspace violations by Russia, U.S. President Donald Trump has called on NATO members to shoot down Russian aircraft if they continue to breach NATO airspace. This comes after a meeting of NATO ambassadors in Brussels, where the alliance condemned Russia's actions and promised a strong response. Sweden and Norway have also reported airspace violations, with Sweden affirming its right to defend its airspace.
Trump Urges NATO to Shoot Down Russian Planes
Trump's Call to NATO: Shoot Down Russian Planes
U.S. President Donald Trump has spoken out about violations of NATO airspace, urging action: Shoot down the Russian planes.
On Tuesday, the ambassadors of the 32 NATO countries gathered in Brussels to discuss Friday's Russian violation of Estonian airspace.
In a joint statement, the alliance condemned the intrusion, emphasized Russia's responsibility, and promised a "robust response."
"Our message to Russia is clear. What they will see now is that whatever happens, we will be there. We are a defense alliance, yes, but we are not naive," said NATO chief Mark Rutte at a press conference afterward.
Trump: Shoot Them Down
Several countries have recently opened up to using military force if the intrusions continue. Now, U.S. President Donald Trump also says he believes NATO members should shoot down Russian aircraft that violate their airspace.
"Yes, I do," Trump replied briefly according to CNN, when asked about the matter before his meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
At the same time, Trump emphasizes that he has not taken a position on whether the U.S. would participate in such shootdowns.
"It depends on the circumstances," he says.
On Monday, all air traffic at Oslo and Copenhagen airports was halted after unidentified drones were observed over the airports.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson writes on X that he has been in contact with Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Fredriksen and "expressed our support."
"We in Sweden are on our guard, and regardless of which actors are behind these various airspace violations on NATO territory, our message is crystal clear: Sweden has the right to defend its airspace, with force if necessary, and we will defend it."
Norway: Three Russian Violations
On Tuesday, Norway also reported that Russian aircraft have violated their airspace several times during the spring and summer.
Two of the intrusions occurred over sea areas northeast of Vardø, while the third intrusion took place over an uninhabited area along the land border in East Finnmark.
"The incidents in Norway are of a smaller scale than the violations against Estonia, Poland, and Romania, both in terms of location and duration. However, these are incidents we take very seriously," says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in a statement.
Request for Explanation
According to Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, Norway has requested an explanation from Russian authorities.
"Even if they are due to navigation errors, as a result of Russia operating with too small a margin of error, it is Russia's responsibility to act in a way that avoids misunderstandings and mistakes. If Russia deliberately challenges the airspace of several countries, this is very serious," says Barth Eide.