NATO chief urges alliance to shoot down Russian jets amid airspace violations | World | News

NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte has endorsed Donald Trump‘s demand for member nations to shoot down Russian aircraft that breach their airspace. During an appearance on Fox News’ Fox & Friends, Brian Kilmeade questioned Mr Rutte about whether he supports the US president.

When asked if he thinks NATO countries should shoot down Russian jets that violate their airspace, he responded: “Yes, I do.” Mr Kilmeade questioned: “Do you think that he’s right? Because Germany pushed back and said, ‘Well, we don’t think we’ll do that. Should they be prepared to knock down Russian drones and planes?”. The NATO chief replied: “If so necessary. So, I totally agree here with President Trump, if so necessary. But our military, Brian, have trained and prepared for this. We know how to do this.”

Mr Rutte explained there have been Russian breaches into NATO airspaces for decades, and member nations understand how to properly evaluate situations and establish the appropriate response.

He said: “For over 40, 50 years – the Soviet era, and then, since the Soviet era, with the Russians – we have these incursions.

“So that means that the fighter pilots and the military will constantly assess the threats and whether it is necessary to escort these planes out of allied territory, the minimum.

“But if so necessary, and there the president is totally right, we will also do more, and if necessary, the ultimate, to protect our people.”

This comes after multiple airspace incursions from Russia, most recently into the US, which prompted the country to scramble fighter jets.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has reported Russian aircraft in close proximity to Alaska three times in a month and nine times this year.

NORAD said two Tu-95s and two Su-35s were detected operating within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), which were met with nine US aircraft.