Macron: NATO Should "Upgrade" to Counter Russian Provocations, But Not Open Fire
French President Macron said on Wednesday, September 24, that NATO countries should "upgrade" their responses to Russia's "new provocations," especially in the airspace of Eastern Europe. He made this statement during an interview with France 24 and France International Radio while attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Macron said, "This means that if someone provokes again, you must respond in a stronger way." However, he also emphasized that NATO would not go as far as opening fire in response to Russian "tests." This is different from what Trump previously said about shooting down aircraft that intrude into airspace. Macron believes that so far, NATO has taken "moderate" collective responses after multiple incidents of Russian drones and aircraft entering its member states' airspace.
Macron said, "It is important to show that we are able to protect Ukraine because it is at the forefront of our collective security, and we can continue to protect our airspace."
Russia always denies responsibility for the incursions into airspace, but NATO warned Moscow on Tuesday that "escalation" must stop and stated that it is prepared to defend itself with all means.
On Monday, Denmark had to close Copenhagen Airport due to an unidentified drone flying over it. Earlier this month, Poland, Romania, and Estonia also accused Russia of violating their airspace. Between the night of September 9 and 10, about twenty drones entered Polish airspace, and Dutch fighter jets from NATO forces subsequently took off and shot down three of them. This was the first incident of such a nature since NATO's founding in 1949.
Macron also expressed approval of U.S. President Trump's new position on the Ukraine issue, considering it a "very important" change because Kyiv "needs American equipment and support." He said, "This is a very clear message from the U.S. president, indicating that Russia may be weaker and more vulnerable than many people say." He added, "This change will help Ukraine resist more effectively and even reclaim territory."
Trump changed his stance abruptly after meeting Ukrainian President Zelenskyy at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, stating that Ukraine might "regain its original territory, and possibly even further." Trump said that with "time, patience, and financial support from Europe, especially NATO," Ukraine could fully return to the borders it had at the start of the conflict.
At the beginning of this year, Trump told Zelenskyy that Ukraine "had no cards" and could not control the situation against the Russian military, while this statement marked a significant shift in attitude.
Source: rfi
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1844205979234506/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.