The Kremlin strongly criticized the idea of NATO allies shooting down Russian planes that enter their airspace, labeling such a suggestion as “reckless.” This response followed remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who expressed that NATO members should take such action.

Several NATO nations have accused Russia of violating their airspace in Europe in recent weeks with fighter jets and drones, claiming these actions are part of a strategy to test the alliance’s resolve.

When questioned on Tuesday if NATO should engage Russian aircraft that breach its airspace, Trump affirmed, “Yes, I do.”

On Friday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov condemned these comments, referring to them as “irresponsible assertions about the necessity to down Russian aircraft, which are at the very least reckless and could lead to dangerous repercussions,” during an interview with state-run television.

Peskov refrained from directly mentioning Trump, instead implying that such calls originated within Europe.

Recent incidents of airspace breaches, particularly in Romania, Poland, and Estonia, have challenged NATO’s cohesion and revealed deficiencies in air defense protocols and capabilities along the eastern border of the U.S.-led alliance.

Moscow has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding these airspace violations.

Peskov’s latest remarks were made following a Bloomberg report indicating that British, French, and German diplomats had warned their Russian counterparts that NATO would be ready to intercept Russian aircraft if violations continued.

Bloomberg described a “tense meeting” where European representatives confronted Russian diplomats about an alleged airspace breach involving three MiG-31 fighters last week over Estonia.

After the discussions, the diplomats reportedly concluded that the violation was a “deliberate tactic ordered by Russian commanders.”

In response, Russian representatives stated that the flights were a reaction to Ukrainian military actions in Crimea and argued that NATO’s support for Ukraine had placed Europe in a direct confrontation with Russia.

The detailed notes recorded by the Russian delegation led European officials to speculate that they had been instructed to “provide a comprehensive report on NATO’s stance to higher authorities” in Moscow, according to Bloomberg.

In his Friday interview, Peskov asserted that Estonia had failed to present any proof of the MiG-31 incident and characterized Tallinn’s statements as “yet another serious escalation of tensions along our border.”

On Thursday, Russian Ambassador to France Alexei Meshkov warned French radio that NATO shooting down a Russian jet under the guise of an airspace violation “would mean war.”

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed his support for targeting Russian aircraft if they encroach on member states’ airspace.

A spokesperson for the British government communicated to Bloomberg that “the U.K. is prepared to vigorously defend our airspace against any incursions.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz remarked that he “endorses all necessary measures” and is coordinating actions with London, Paris, and Warsaw.

Reporting was contributed by AFP.