Donald Trump Tells NATO To Shoot Down Russian Jets Crossing Airspace In Fresh Jibe At Putin

When asked by reporters if he thought NATO should take action against Russian aircraft crossing their airspace, Donald Trump responded affirmatively. “Yes, I do,” Trump said on Tuesday, advocating that NATO should shoot down Russian aircraft entering their airspace.

The US President made these comments while speaking to reporters after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

When specifically asked about NATO shoot-downs during his meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump reiterated, “Yes, I do.”

In contrast, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte appeared to adopt a more cautious stance, according to a report by US broadcaster CNN. Rutte emphasized that any decision to shoot down aircraft should depend on available intelligence regarding the threat posed by the planes.

“This also includes questions we have to answer like intent, armaments, and potential risk to allies, forces, civilians, or infrastructure. We will always assess the situation and the immediate threat the plane poses,” Rutte told CNN following a meeting of NATO states.

The first direct encounters between NATO and Moscow since the start of the Ukraine war occurred recently with alleged incursions of Russian aircraft over Poland, Estonia, and other NATO nations. The CNN report highlighted that these incursions tested the alliance’s preparedness and credibility in deterring Russian aggression.

Russian jets allegedly violated Estonian airspace, which prompted Tallinn to call for a meeting among NATO members.

Meanwhile, Trump suggested that Ukraine could achieve more than just reclaiming its lost territory since the war began in February 2022.

“I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form,” Trump said in a Truth Social post after his meeting with Zelenskyy at the United Nations.

Trump added that Kyiv might even be able to go further than just recovering the country’s original borders, although he did not elaborate on what he meant by that.
https://www.news18.com/world/donald-trump-tells-nato-to-shoot-down-russian-jets-crossing-airspace-in-fresh-jibe-at-putin-ws-kl-9592594.html