The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is considering easing its rules on the use of force against Russia. Russia is accused of violating Estonian, Polish, and Romanian airspace in September.
Sky TG24, an Italian news outlet, said NATO leaders are seeking “more flexibility” in engaging Russia on the bloc’s Eastern flank. “NATO Commander-in-Chief, US General Alexus Grynkewich, has asked allies for ‘more flexibility’ in the rules of engagement to better manage the defense of the eastern flank,” the report explains. “Especially in light of the launch of Operation Sentry East, which is seen as a ‘test bed’ for the development of an integrated air defense operation.”
Some members of NATO are seeking to ease or remove “national limitations” that countries impose on the military equipment under NATO command.
The discussions follow Russian alleged violations of NATO airspace last month. Tallinn claimed three Russian jets flew just inside Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland. NATO says the jets remained in Estonian territory for about 12 minutes, and the bloc scrambled F-35s operated by Italy to escort the Russian warplanes.
The Kremlin denied the accusations.
In a separate incident, about two dozen Russian decoy drones entered Polish airspace. The bloc scrambled multiple fighter jets and shot down some of the UAVs. The operation cost the bloc about half a billion dollars.
Russia has denied that it targeted Poland, and Belarus claimed that the drones flew into Polish airspace after they were impacted by Ukrainian electronic interference.
In a third event, a Russian drone entered Romanian airspace before turning around and striking Ukraine.
Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte have called for shooting down Russian aircraft in allied airspace.
