Article: NATO's Rutte says members can target Russian aircraft entering NATO space when necessary

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Sep 25, 2025

NATO's Rutte says members can target Russian aircraft entering NATO space when necessary

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo of a Dutch F-35 via Netherlands Royal Air Force

WASHINGTON - NATO's Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday backed U.S. President Donald Trump's comments this week that NATO member countries should shoot down Russian drones and airplanes if they enter their airspace, if such a move was necessary.

"If so necessary. So I totally agree here with President Trump: if so necessary," Rutte said in an interview on Fox News' "Fox & Friends" program, adding that NATO militaries are trained to assess such threats and determine whether they can escort Russian planes out of allied territory or take further action.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne // REUTERS)

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