«We are so much stronger...» - NATO Secretary General on responding to Russian airspace violations
The NATO Secretary General said that if a country is significantly outnumbered by the enemy, its response to border violations may be different from the immediate use of force. “When enemy aircraft enter airspace but do not pose an immediate threat, a show of force may be less effective than a proportionate, clear and diplomatically backed response” he stressed.
Why it's not always a priority to shoot down
According to the secretary general, if the answer is always to shoot down planes, it can:
increase the risk of escalation;
create unnecessary human and material losses;
automatically transfer the conflict to a more acute phase.
At the same time, clear deterrence measures - sanctions, diplomatic steps, public statements and demonstrations of military capabilities - can effectively deter an aggressor without the immediate use of weapons.
What tools are meant
The Secretary General listed tools that could be used instead of or alongside a military response:
diplomatic notes and public statements;
Increasing combat readiness near the borders (without the use of force);
strengthening air defence and intelligence assets to detect violations;
Tougher sanctions and coordination with NATO and EU partners.
Context and implications for the region
This approach underscores NATO's desire to reduce the risk of uncontrolled escalation, while maintaining the ability to respond firmly if the threat escalates into immediate danger. For Ukraine and neighbouring countries, this means that reactions can be comprehensive, ranging from political pressure to increased defence capabilities.
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