“Shoot down or intercept” – how Trump’s words about Russian planes have raised the debate in NATO
23 September 2025 21:07
At a joint press conference with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump said that NATO countries should shoot down Russian planes that violate the Alliance’s airspace, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
When asked whether the United States would help its allies in the event of such a decision, he replied:
“It depends on the circumstances.”
Poland’s signal: “Don’t whine”
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski warned Moscow that in case of violations of Polish skies, planes could be shot down.
“If the wreckage falls on NATO territory, don’t come here and whine,” he said at a UN Security Council meeting.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk added that Poland would destroy any “flying objects” that threaten security.
Reactions in the Alliance
- Britain. Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper said that London is “determined” to confront Russian aircraft.
- NATO. Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized that each incident will be assessed separately, and only then will a decision be made whether to intercept or shoot down.
- USA. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that shooting down planes is advisable only in case of a direct attack. “NATO usually acts through interception, and that will continue to be the case,” he said.
Washington’s position at the UN General Assembly
In New York, Trump criticized his allies for buying Russian energy resources.
“They are financing a war against themselves,” he said, referring to both India and China, which remain the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas.
He promised “very strong tariffs” if Moscow does not show a willingness to negotiate peace.
Why it matters
Russian planes and drones regularly violate the airspace of Poland, Estonia, and other NATO countries. But so far, the allies have mostly limited themselves to intercepting them, avoiding direct escalation.
Now, the discussion has moved to a higher level: whether to move from deterrence to a military response.
Russia’s violations of NATO airspace
- June 2025 – Estonia
Three Russian fighter jets flew into Estonian airspace. Tallinn convenes an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. - May 2025 – Poland
Debris from a missile fired during Russian shelling of Ukraine fell on the country’s territory. Warsaw stepped up its air defense and threatened to shoot down “flying objects.” - March 2025 – Lithuania
A Russian military helicopter crossed the Lithuanian border several kilometers. Vilnius summoned the Russian ambassador for explanations. - December 2024 – Poland
A drone identified as Russian crashed in the border province. The authorities officially announced a “deliberate provocation.” - October 2024 – Romania
The wreckage of several drones was spotted on the territory of the country after massive Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports on the Danube. - April 2024 – Norway
A Russian reconnaissance aircraft enters NATO’s area of responsibility over the North Sea. Norwegian F-35s intercepted it.
Peacekeeping initiatives: Turkey, Indonesia, Canada and the UN’s position
What Erdogan said
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke at the opening of the UN General Assembly in New York and assured that Ankara “will continue to make efforts for a ceasefire and a just peace” in Russia’s war against Ukraine, Ukrinform reports .
He recalled the Istanbul process, in which Turkey has already facilitated the exchange of prisoners and bodies. “There are no winners in war, and no losers in a just peace,” the Turkish leader emphasized.
Erdogan also mentioned Turkey’s role in ensuring the security of the Black Sea through the Montreux Convention and announced that the country would host the NATO summit in 2026.
Other initiatives on Ukraine
- Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney said that the international community should not trust any of Putin’s promises. Canada actively supports Ukraine in the “Coalition of the Willing” and does not rule out the participation of peacekeepers.
- Indonesia. President Prabowo Subianto said that the country is ready to send up to 20,000 troops under the auspices of the UN to establish peace in Ukraine.
- UN. President of the General Assembly Annalena Burbock emphasized that the organization is “at a crossroads” and must prove its ability to act more effectively. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, however, did not directly mention Russia as an aggressor in his speech.
