“My opinion is we have to defend every square centimeter of the territory,” von der Leyen said in an interview with CNN. “That means if there is an intrusion in the airspace, after warning, after being very clear, of course the option of shooting down a fighter jet that is intruding our airspace is on the table.”
Von der Leyen holds no power to direct military action by EU countries, but as head of the bloc’s executive branch her opinion on the matter is hugely influential.
this post was submitted on 24 Sep 2025
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EU politician who got her job due to cronyism and horse trading (rather than being elected to it like MEPs are) and isn't even held in much regard in her own country due to the "quality" of her management as Defense Minister, very publicly rushes to the front a group already moving in a specific direction and shouts "Follow me!" to make it seem like she's leading something.
This is pretty much "dog barks" as news goes.
VdL can say a lot. She doesn't have any authority in these matters anyway. The EU doesn't have a common foreign office or a department of defence. Nor does she have any authority within the NATO.
Oh, man...I hope they aren't banking in the US for support, if they decide to do this. It doesn't matter if it was Trump's idea...he is going to leave them hanging, if they ever pull this trigger.
He might help. He might not. I really depends on who spoke to him last
Poland is just itching to shoot some Russian assets down
Don't blame them one bit
Putin -like Trump- is a bully always trying to test how far they can go. and push a little further each time. They don't understand signals just firm language. I'm in Europe and think they have been warned enough. It won't stop by itself, time to shoot 'm down. (sorry for the pilot, but in their own 'language' : collateral damage)
Yep. Russia only respects force.
EU are so slow! Imagine saying it's on the table.
no. no, what she was trying to say is that we are 100% shooting Russian jets IF they are on the table. Unless we're having dinner, in which case we'll invite them at the table because hospitality is sacred if you are armed and not an immigrant.
- She has no military authority.
- See 1.
- She says so only after Trump says he would allow it.
- Trump didn't breach the subject first. Poland and Estonia did.
- If weapons and carriers without US tech are used, there is no need to talk about it with the US or NATO or even the EU before acting.
influencing without authority is a lot of what leaders do.
Step 5 shouldn't matter regardless... In theory.
I kinda believe that this ist exactly what Putin wants
What Putin wants is to normalize his provocations while driving a wedge between NATO members he can intimidate and those he hopes in invade someday.