Warsaw: German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Monday called on NATO member states to intensify efforts in strengthening air defense systems in response to what he described as growing “Russian threats.” Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum in the Polish capital, Pistorius said Russia poses an increasing threat to the alliance, citing a rise in airspace violations over European countries, which NATO attributes to Russian military activity.
According to Qatar News Agency, Pistorius warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is attempting to provoke the alliance and expose its vulnerabilities, cautioning against falling into a cycle of continuous escalation. He stressed the importance of unity, clear and coordinated responses, and close cooperation among allies. The German minister also reaffirmed Berlin’s commitment to enhancing NATO’s air defense capabilities.
During a high-level panel discussion on Ukraine’s European future, Pistorius highlighted the need to expand cooperation with Ukraine’s arms industry, underscoring its role in the broader defense effort. Earlier this week, NATO reported intercepting Russian aircraft that had violated Estonian airspace. In contrast, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed that three MiG-31 fighter jets had conducted a planned flight from Karelia to an airfield in the Kaliningrad region, denying any breach of Estonian airspace.