NATO Allies can, ready to shoot down Russian missiles, drones violating their airspace – Ruge
Acting Deputy Secretary General of NATO Boris Ruge has said that NATO member states are ready to shoot down Russian missiles and drones flying over their territory, according to a statement on the European Solidarity party's website.
"Of course, NATO Allies have the right to shoot down any such objects that violate their airspace, and they are ready to do so. Together we are ready to defend ourselves against such an invasion," Ruge said when asked by European Solidarity leader Petro Poroshenko during the NATO Parliamentary Assembly whether Western partners are ready to shoot down Russian missiles and drones over the territory of the Alliance's member states.
"As for shooting down missiles, I spoke about the proposal of a humanitarian air defense shield, which was brought up for discussion, but NATO did not support it because there is no consensus on this. When it comes to missiles, drones, cruise missiles that penetrate the airspace of allies, it is a different issue," the Acting Deputy Secretary General said.
He also underlined the extreme importance of the political prospect of Ukraine joining NATO
"It will happen when 32 NATO members unite and take the necessary steps. I think this is not the answer you are expecting. But the decision that has been made is that NATO has Ukraine's future. I will just remind you what Secretary General Rutte said in his video statement: the security of Ukraine is our security and we are well aware of that," Ruge said.
