Part 5/12:
He underlines that the military's primary objective during such provocations is to escort aircraft out of airspace. However, if these aircraft threaten infrastructure or civilians, NATO forces are authorized and prepared to take more aggressive measures, including intercepting or shooting down aircraft if necessary.
The Dangers of Appeasement and Russia’s Path of Aggression
Addressing historical parallels, Rutte dispels notions of NATO appeasing Russia, citing the timeline of Russia’s invasions of Crimea in 2014 and subsequent expansion into Eastern Ukraine in 2022. While some critics argue the West's accommodation of Russia is akin to the appeasement of Hitler prior to World War II, he firmly rejects this comparison.