Rutte: NATO countries can shoot down Russian aircraft

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made a statement regarding the violations committed by Russian unmanned aerial vehicles and fighter jets in the airspace of NATO member countries.

In a program he attended on the US-based Fox News channel, Rutte stated that NATO militaries could shoot down Russian elements violating their airspace if necessary. Emphasizing that potential interventions against aerial elements could be carried out depending on the situation, Rutte said, "I agree with US President Donald Trump on this. If it is truly necessary, they can be shot down."

Rutte also underscored that NATO militaries are trained to assess such danger situations and decide whether Russian aircraft should be escorted away or if further intervention is required.

TRUMP: I THINK RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT SHOULD BE SHOT DOWN

Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last Tuesday on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations (UN) General Assembly held in New York. In the joint press statement held after the bilateral meeting, when asked, "Do you think NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft that violate their airspace?", Trump replied, "Yes, I think so." When asked whether the US would assist NATO countries if they were to shoot down a Russian aircraft, the US President responded, "It depends on the situation. But you know, we are very strong on NATO." Regarding a question on whether he still trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump replied, "I will announce that in about a month."