Rubio vows that US will defend ‘every inch of Nato territory’

NEW YORK – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed the American commitment to Nato after incursions by Russian aircraft into the alliance’s airspace that have shaken governments on its eastern flank. 

“We will work with our allies to defend every inch of Nato territory,” he said on Sept 23 in comments to CBS News as President Donald Trump prepared to address the United Nations General Assembly.

His remarks also followed a Nato statement earlier on Sept 23 that promised a “robust” response to the Russian incursions, saying it would use all options, including military, to defend itself.

“Allies will employ, in accordance with international law, all necessary military and non-military tools to defend ourselves and deter all threats from all directions,” the alliance said.

Russian fighter jets entered Estonian airspace for 12 minutes last week, the latest in a series of incidents that have rattled US allies. Nato forces also shot down Russian drones that crossed into Poland earlier in September, the first such episode since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Sept 22 said his country was prepared to shoot down foreign aircraft that cross into its territory without authorisation.

“I think what you have seen is Nato responding to those intrusions the way we respond to them all the time, and that is when they enter your airspace, or your defence zone, you go up and you intercept them,” Mr Rubio said. “And that’s what Nato has done, and that’s what Nato will continue to do.”

Mr Rubio reiterated that Mr Trump remains committed to ending the war in Ukraine, but told Fox News that “it appears Putin may not be serious about peace”, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He added that “we want to do everything possible” to bring about an end to the war.

Mr Trump plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Sept 23. Bloomberg