Rules of engagement must be in line with the alliance’s political guidance, she added. \u201cFor NATO, the main political guidance is that it’s a defensive alliance, whose aim is to deter aggression and prevent any conflict, and should that fail, to defend against it and defeat it.\u201d <\/p>\n
They are approved by the North Atlantic Council (NAC), which gathers all NATO allies. They are implemented by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), currently Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, a U.S. Air Force general who also commands U.S. forces in Europe. Like every political decision within the alliance, rules of engagement require consensus.<\/p>\n
2. What about national armed forces?<\/p>\n
NATO rules of engagement do not prevent national armed forces from making their own decisions on their soil when they are under national command. <\/p>\n
On Tuesday, Lithuania adopted new rules<\/a> allowing its military to react to airspace violations “earlier and faster.” Romania, whose airspace was violated multiple times by Russian drones in the past months, on Thursday convenes<\/a> its Supreme Defense Council to define the rules of engagement in case of more incursions by drones or manned aircraft.<\/p>\n However, there can be risks if a country’s unilateral action leads to escalation, as Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk hinted on Monday.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2233105909-1024x682.jpg\")
\u201cWe are ready for any decision aimed at destroying objects that may threaten us, such as Russian fighter jets,\u201d Donald Tusk said during a press conference, while adding that some kind of consensus must also be reached among NATO allies. | Mateusz Slodkowski\/Getty Images<\/p>\n