Moscow has denounced the idea that NATO allies shoot down Russian aircraft entering their airspace as “reckless”, after US President Donald Trump said alliance members should do so.
Several NATO countries say Russian fighter jets and drones have violated their airspace in Europe over recent weeks, accusing Moscow of testing the alliance.
Asked on Tuesday whether he thought NATO states should shoot down any Russian planes that violate their airspace, Trump said: “Yes, I do.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday denounced what he called “irresponsible statements about the need to shoot down Russian aircraft, which are, at the very least, reckless, irresponsible and carry dangerous consequences,” in an interview with Russian state TV.
Peskov did not specifically refer to Trump and instead cast the calls as coming from Europe.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Thursday he supported the idea of targeting Russian jets if they violate members’ airspace.
“I totally agree here with President Trump,” he told Fox News, adding that NATO “will also do more, and if necessary, the ultimate to protect our people.”
NATO jets intercepted three Russian MiG-31 fighters last week after they entered Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland.
Peskov claimed that Estonia provided no evidence of the incident and called Tallinn’s rhetoric “yet another significant escalation of tensions near our border.”
Denmark has been forced to close some of its airports several times this week after it reported that unidentified drones had crossed its airspace.
Earlier this month, NATO scrambled jets after around 20 Russian drones flew through Polish airspace, downing at least three of them.
Denmark Accepts Swedish Offer
Denmark said on Friday it had accepted a Swedish offer of anti-drone technology for next week’s EU summit in Copenhagen, following several mysterious drone sightings at Danish airports this week.
“Sweden has offered to lend Denmark a military anti-drone capability. Denmark has naturally accepted,” the Danish defence ministry wrote in a post on X.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said earlier Friday that he had spoken to his Danish counterpart, Mette Frederiksen, and extended the offer.
“We have seen extensive drone activity in different countries the past few days. Very unwelcome drones,” Kristersson told Sweden’s TV4 in an interview.
“And next Wednesday, some 40 heads of government will gather for an EU summit in Copenhagen,” he said.
The summit will be held on Wednesday and Thursday.
Sweden has invested massively in air defence systems in recent months.
“In the past few months alone, we have ordered air defence systems capable of combating both drones and planes for more than 10 billion kronor ($1.06 billion), and we are investing in new anti-drone capabilities,” Defence Minister Pal Jonson told AFP in a written comment.
© Agence France-Presse
