European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stated that the option of shooting down military aircraft violating NATO airspace is “on the table.”
Her remarks follow reports accusing Russia of multiple airspace violations this month over Poland, Romania, and Estonia.
“My opinion is that we must defend every square centimeter of our territory. That means if there is an intrusion into our airspace, and after warnings and clear communication, of course, the option of shooting down the intruding aircraft is on the table,” von der Leyen told CNN, as reported by Politico.
The statement echoes comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. When asked if NATO members should shoot down Russian aircraft violating their airspace, Trump responded affirmatively.
Von der Leyen’s warning highlights the increasing tension between NATO and Russia, with airspace security becoming a pressing issue in Eastern Europe.
