Russia is creating considerable “danger” by flying over a NATO country with military aircraft, Iceland’s Foreign Minister says.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson was a guest on radio station Rás 1, where he spoke about the current situation in Syria, RÚV reports; namely, Russia’s involvement in the Syrian conflict.
“Of course it is dangerous if Russia continues to violate Turkish airspace or that of any other NATO country,” he said. “Then there is a great danger that there will be some kind of conflict. We, of course, do not want to see NATO and Russia get into a conflict, or even a battle, over Syria or Turkey. But it is completely clear according to the agreement NATO countries have with each other that they will defend Turkey if it comes to that. Leading up to that, NATO jets will probably get involved, and push the Russians out if need be. There is certainly a danger that things could escalate.”
Gunnar Bragi added that fortunately, NATO and Russia have been having a dialogue regarding how it came to be that Russia flew over Turkey with military aircraft, and how to prevent it from happening again.
“But if this continues, that Russia refuses to listen and continues to disrespect the airspace, then there is great danger ahead,” he said. “That much is quite clear.”
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