Today at 19:01
The Minister of Defense of the Netherlands, Ruben Breckelmans, believes that NATO countries shooting down Russian missiles and drones over western Ukraine may not be “the most effective way to solve the problem” and the benefits do not outweigh the risks of such a decision.
According to him, the participation of partner countries in shooting down Russian missiles over Ukraine will have “limited benefits.”
“Whether or not they outweigh the risks that might arise. If you put your air defense systems on the border with Ukraine, for example, they’re only going to cover a relatively small area. In that case, that would mean you’d have to have planes in the sky to protect Ukraine. Then, of course, there will be a risk of a direct clash between the NATO Air Force and Russia,” Brekelmans said.
According to him, NATO allies are trying to prevent this type of escalation.
“I think it is also to the benefit of Ukraine that we are trying to prevent it. We must always look for creative ways to help Ukraine. But we also have to weigh in each case whether the benefits outweigh the risks. So far there is no difference. This is an approved decision,” he summarized minister.
