We are a defensive alliance, but we are not naive, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said today at a press conference after the meeting of the pact countries requested by Estonia under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty. Earlier today, the North Atlantic Council condemned the violation of Estonian airspace by Russia on September 19, BTA reported.
We do not want Russia to continue in this dangerous direction, intentionally or not, Rutte said. The Russians know that if necessary, we will not hesitate, he added in response to a question at a press conference whether the alliance's forces are about to start shooting down aircraft that have entered the airspace of allies without permission. We will continue to act calmly and decisively, based on the threat assessment, Rutte explained.
According to him, in the case of Estonia, it was assessed that there were no sufficient threats to citizens, infrastructure or NATO forces to take any action other than escorting Russian fighters out of Estonian airspace.
The actions of the Russians are unacceptable and, even if not intentional, are irresponsible, Rutte summarized. We will respond to any violation of airspace - irresponsible or intentional, we are capable of defending ourselves, he added. Rutte explained that decisions on response are made by the Supreme Allied Command.
He noted that the largest aircraft carrier in the world, the "Gerald Ford" of the US forces, has been sent to the area of the latest violations (the Baltic Sea). Rutte specified that the aircraft carrier was there for long-planned exercises.