“WP” reminded that the Russian leader Vladimir Putin did not suffer any consequences for the invasion of drones on Poland and escalated the situation, sending three MIG-31 fighters on Friday to the airspace of Estonia, which has been a NATO member since 2004.
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“Accidents happen, but this time the planes flew without reported flight plans and with transponsed transponders. They refused to respond to air traffic controls and flew in Estonian air for a full 12 minutes” – said “WP”. The newspaper reminded that Türkiye gave an example of how to react to this type of behavior almost a decade.
“On November 24, 2015, this long-time NATO member shot down the Russian Su-24 fighter over the border with Syria. This incident did not cause World War III, but gave Putin clearly to understand that he would pay the price for checking the determination of another country,” said the daily.
Tension between Russia and NATO. “Putin has not met with opposition”
According to the journal, the last provocations of Russia were caused by the lack of reaction of President Donald Trump after the summit with Putin. Their goal – assessed the journal – is to weaken the guarantee of NATO mutual defense. Putin did not meet with any opposition from Trump. It became necessary to warn Russia that its recklessness will have consequences – and take the right steps following.
Turkey's actions in 2015 were a consequence of the warning of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that further violations of the air space of this country would not be tolerated.
It was the time of the civil war in Syria, in which Russia, a supporter of the Syrian authorities, fought rebels, also using aviation. In November 2015, Türkiye shot down the Russian fighter, which was to violate its airspace for 17 seconds.
Other NATO countries supported their ally, Moscow erupted with anger and imposed sanctions on Ankara – but eventually she took it calmly. “In this way scares are established,” emphasized “WP”.
“Trump does not show determination”, Poland and the Czech Republic warn
Trump shows no determination to put real pressure on Putin to end the war. No wonder Russia reacted to the weakness with aggressive tests. Determining the red line and enforcing it together with allies would be an important signal for Putin – and all opponents of America – said the daily. “Remembering requires consistency, not excuses,” said “WP”.
Earlier, the issue of shooting down a Russian aircraft by Turkey was cited by the Minister of Defense of Lithuania Dovile Sakaliene, suggesting that this is the right response to Moscow violation. The Czech President Petr Pavel also expressed an analogous opinion on Saturday. On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski asked the UN Security Council in New York with a request to Russia that she would not make complaints if a missile or aircraft violates NATO airspace and be shot down.
