Czech President Petr Pavel has called on NATO to openly demonstrate its readiness to respond to Russia, including by potentially shooting down Russian aircraft and drones. He made the remarks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Fox News reported.

Pavel suggested that the alliance may eventually have to destroy Russian aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicles that, he claimed, are being used to test NATO’s readiness.

The Czech president argued that Moscow would continue testing and expanding the boundaries of what NATO is prepared to tolerate, as well as Russia’s influence in Europe, unless it encounters a decisive response. He also said Russia respects strength and interprets an unwillingness to take firm action as weakness.

Pavel has previously advocated a tougher NATO response to what he described as Russian provocations. In May, he called on the alliance to «show its teeth» and respond with decisive and asymmetric measures.

Among the possible steps previously proposed by the Czech president were cutting internet access, disconnecting Russian banks from global financial systems and shooting down aircraft that enter the airspace of NATO member states.