Russia has been playing with fire for some time, so to speak, by taunting NATO countries.
This started with a border attack, then escalated to numerous airspace violations.
Donald Trump’s frustration has boiled over, calling on NATO allies to shoot down any planes that violate NATO airspace.
This all got started when Russia conducted an attack against Ukraine right along the Romanian border.
While the attack took place in Ukraine, it was only a mile off the border, and it raised a lot of eyebrows. In fact, I wrote at the time that I thought Russai was looking for a reaction from the United States.
Ukrainian President Zelensky was on the same page, having stated, "All of these are demonstrative strikes that only confirm the need to put pressure on Moscow, the need to impose new sanctions and tariffs until diplomacy is fully effective.
“I thank all partners who are helping to stop this Russian war. Together with the United States, Europe, and all those who seek peace."
After that incident, Russia decided to push the line a bit further, with drones violating Polish airspace.
Poland’s foreign minister, Radosław Sikorski, was also on the same page as me on this incident, stating, “Interestingly, they were all duds, which suggests to me that Russia tried to test us without starting a war.”
Romania summoned Moscow’s ambassador, Vladimir Lipaev, stating, “Such recurring incidents contribute to the escalation and amplification of threats to regional security.”
Again, I thought this was Russia seeing how the United States and its allies would react.
Trump appears frustrated over this, as he has been doing everything he can to get a peace deal in place, to no avail. Then Russia did it again, violating Estonian airspace.
When he was asked about this latest incident, he responded, “Depends on the circumstances, but we’re very strong toward NATO. NATO has stepped up.
“Trillions of dollars is being pumped in, and they’re paying us for the weapons that we sent.”
After that meeting, Trump made a clear pivot in support of Ukraine, so any hope Russia has of Trump bailing on Ukraine is now gone. Let’s just hope that Putin does not decide to push his chips on the notion that the United States and its allies will continue to sit on their hands while he pushes the envelope with these attacks.
