NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the alliance should focus on escorting Russian aircraft out of its airspace rather than immediately opening fire. He emphasized that any decision to shoot down a plane must be based on a clear assessment of whether it poses an actual threat.

Rutte noted that some within NATO advocate for a tougher stance, suggesting that any Russian jet entering allied airspace — deliberately or by mistake — should be shot down. However, he disagreed, explaining that the first step should be to determine if the aircraft represents a genuine danger. If not, the goal, he said, is to ensure the plane leaves NATO-controlled skies safely.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph reported that NATO members are discussing potential changes to the alliance’s engagement rules that could make it easier to authorize attacks on Russian fighter jets. According to the newspaper’s source, factors such as the type of weapons onboard and the aircraft’s flight trajectory would be considered when assessing a possible threat.

Rutte also added that NATO defense ministers, meeting on Wednesday, do not plan to discuss supplying Ukraine with long-range offensive missiles.