Trump says NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft that violate their airspace

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1. SS: President Donald Trump said Tuesday he believes NATO member countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if they enter their airspace as the defense alliance confronts the potential for an expansion of the war in Ukraine.

   “Yes, I do,” Trump said when posed a question about NATO shoot-downs during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

   Later, he stopped short of saying the United States would join in the effort to shoot down violating Russian aircraft.

   “Depends on the circumstance,” he said. “But you know, we’re very strong toward NATO.”

   NATO members have scrambled in recent weeks after Russian drones and aircraft violated their airspace.

   Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland without permission Friday.

   That came the week after several Russian drones and fighter jets entered Polish airspace, prompting a scramble of F-15 and F-35 fighter jets.

   European allies warned Monday during a fiery emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that they would shoot down Russian jets or drones involved in any further violations of NATO airspace.

2. Even a broken clock is right twice a day. We definitely should defend our air space.

3. No, we can’t have any conflict! Even if we have to give in over and over and over until Russia knows it can do almost anything without consequences, the important thing is that we all get along with Russia and work together towards our goal of avoiding conflict.

4. Idk man, I have the impression that that is exactly what Putin is trying to provoke. I don’t think we should take Krasnov’s advice here.

5. Some EU countries did shoot down the planes, others are trying to be saints and preying the other side will just stop intruding.

   Good times, weak people; Weak people tough times.

6. This is the only message russia responds too.

   And for everyone worried about a Russian response, they have already thrown everything they got into Ukraine and are struggling. Opening up any other fronts would completely lead to their collapse.

7. How long do you think before a NATO and Russia war? Or will it never happen?

8. Trump says a lot of things, like that climate change isn’t real, that climate scientists are dumb, that there is a conspiracy to kill cows, and that he is the world’s saviour. As with most other things he says, he is doing little else other than inflicting damage on the reputation of otherwise reputable people and agencies, and eroding global US influence.

   He should not be listened to. European states should shoot down Russian jets if they enter their airspaces and display behaviour indicating they’d attack. Or in retaliation for a similair Russian act. Otherwise, what hurts Russia the most isn’t shooting down its jet, its sending more aid to Ukraine and inflicting ever increasing losses on Russia. Destroyed Russian military equipment, dead Russian personnel, wounded soldiers and damaged energy infrastructure are significantly better tradeoffs, and incur basically no new risks on the Europeans.

9. So the US can turn it’s back when an active conflict with NATO gets kicked off

10. NATO countries should make the best decision according to the situation and the moment and not take into account the opinions of anonymous internet commentators or public provocateurs.

11. They should absolutely shoot down anything that violates their airspace. Turkiye did it, and Russia hasn’t done it again. The method works.

12. Yeah, this really is something that could go off the rails fast, but i think eventually the call will have to be made.

    And the big question is, if Trump is really going to stand with NATO and the rest of Europe?

    If an armed fighter jet entered another countries airspace and refused to communicate, it definitely would be grounds for engagement. The US would absolutely do this, so why not other countries?

    Trump in the White House completely changes the argument, though, because the regular rules go out the window. I would be very comfortable in betting if NATO downs a Russian fighter over an airspace violation, Trump will blame Europe for being too aggressive. Some in his administration have already made comments about the Baltics being too aggressive. With the UK and Frances governments in a bit of disarray, there isn’t a real stable nuclear power in NATO.

    It honestly might be time to just get it over with and choose between a rock and a hard place.

    Those in the West probably dont truly understand living close to the conflict in Ukraine and the history of past conflicts and Russian influence. I dont think Europe is seeing what’s really happening within the US right now. between the policy changes the administration is making, the scandals, corruption, conspiracies, and the political divide that’s being encouraged by the government. Something is eventually going to break, and the US will be busy trying to clean it up and will not be able to give Russia its full attention…

    Although if we really want to find out where Trump stands, escalating tension and a potential conflict breaking out is definitely a quick way to find out, but is this something that Europe is willing to fire the first shot over? Can NATO and the rest of Europe take on Russia in its current state? With the possibility of the US dragging its feet or potentially setting the whole rule book on fire and walking away.

13. Why would Agent Krasnov say something like this???

14. Finally agree with Trump on something.

15. I definitely would agree with shooting down drones without a second thought. Manned planes I’m still iffy about. At minimum you’re intercepting them and pushing them out of NATO air.

16. Does europe need American permission to shoot down Russian aircraft? Is US sending troops to retake Ukraine? I mean most of these just hot air. 

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