15:29 26-09-2025

Axios: France Unlikely to Shoot Down Jets, Urges NATO Rule Update

© A. Krivonosov

Axios reports France won’t shoot down foreign jets violating NATO airspace but urges the alliance to strengthen its rules of engagement amid rising tensions with Russia.

The news outlet Axios, citing French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, reported that Paris will not open fire on foreign military aircraft that violate the airspace of NATO member states. At the same time, France believes the alliance needs to review and update its rules of engagement.

According to Axios, France considers it necessary to «strengthen the rules of engagement,» but is «unlikely to decide to shoot down an aircraft» that crosses NATO airspace.

Earlier, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the alliance has the right to shoot down Russian military aircraft it deems a threat to the civilian infrastructure or population of member states.

Russian Ambassador to France Alexey Meshkov warned that if NATO shoots down a Russian plane under the pretext of violating alliance airspace, Moscow will view it as a declaration of war. He added that NATO countries' military aircraft frequently violate Russian airspace, yet Russia does not shoot them down.