Netherlands on Russia's violation of NATO airspace: Our response must be clear
Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans believes that the North Atlantic Alliance should shoot down drones and missiles that violate its airspace.
Brekelmans stressed after a meeting with his Lithuanian counterpart Laurynas Kasčiūnas that Russia's violation of NATO airspace "is unacceptable and dangerous".
"Our response must be clear. Drones and missiles entering our airspace should be detected and intercepted. If needed, NATO should support individual allies," he added.
The Dutch defence minister's statement follows several incidents of Russian drones violating NATO airspace.
Russia’s violation of our airspace is unacceptable and dangerous.
– Ruben Brekelmans (@DefensieMin) September 16, 2024
Our response must be clear. Drones and missiles entering our airspace should be detected and intercepted. If needed, NATO should support individual allies.
Lithuanian minister @LKasciunas and myself stand united. pic.twitter.com/zMYcJsVVhH
In early September, at least one Russian Shahed drone crashed in Romania near the Ukrainian border. Additionally, a combat drone was discovered in Latvia, where it is believed to have flown in from Belarus.
In both instances, the countries did not intercept the drones but allowed them to fall.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged international partners to act decisively and jointly counter Russian missile attacks, saying that so far, "only Belarus has distinguished itself by shooting down Russian Shaheds".