NATO allies are trying to coordinate responses to violations of airspace by a Russian aircraft, while defense alliance partners openly contradict each other, writes Bloomberg.
On Tuesday evening, Germany warned of the risks associated with destroying Russian aircraft and drones, while US President Donald Trump almost simultaneously demonstrated his readiness to take a more aggressive stance, supported by Poland and the Baltic states. Earlier, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk threatened to shoot down aerial threats and stated that there is «no room for discussion» regarding this policy.
Germany calls for a cautious approach. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that NATO allies risk falling into Putin's «escalation trap» by opening fire on Russian aircraft. «Hasty demands to shoot something down from the sky or demonstrate strength now will not help at all», — he said at a press conference in Berlin on Tuesday evening with his Swedish colleague Paul Johnson. — Calmness — is not cowardice or fear, but responsibility to one's country and to peace in Europe«. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful told Handelsblatt newspaper that the Kremlin's calculation — «first provoke NATO allies, and then, in case of escalation, pretend it was a complete surprise, and discredit NATO».
Meanwhile, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics on Tuesday called on NATO for a «show of force» in response to Russia's incursions. «I think the rules of engagement also need to be improved in such a way that if Russia's actions continue, opening fire becomes an alternative», — he said in an interview with Bloomberg TV. Finnish President Alexander Stubb urged allies «not to overreact, but to be firm enough, because the only thing Russia understands — is strength».
On Tuesday, NATO issued a statement promising to «resolutely» respond to Russia's incursion, stating that it would use all possible means, including military ones.
This week, Estonia convened emergency meetings at NATO and the UN Security Council after three Russian fighter jets were in the country's airspace for 12 minutes on Friday. The incident occurred just days after Russian drones violated the airspace of Poland and Romania.