The key facts
- Maria Zakharova called Sanna Marin's proposal to shoot down Russian planes 'foolishly aggressive' and detached from reality.
- Zakharova linked Marin's position to her work as a strategic adviser at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.
- Earlier, a similar idea was voiced by Czech President Petr Pavel.
Zakharova criticized Marin's statement
Russian Foreign Ministry official spokesperson Maria Zakharova, at a briefing, commented on the proposal by former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin to shoot down Russian military aircraft if they violate the airspace of EU and NATO countries. In her words, this is 'a proposal detached from reality and not even warlike, but foolishly aggressive.' Zakharova noted that alleged violations of airspace by Russia are being presented as grounds for the use of force, and that such statements go beyond ordinary warlike rhetoric.
Statement about the 'commissioned nature'
Zakharova linked Marin's public position to her current professional activity: after leaving the post of prime minister, Marin works as a visiting fellow and strategic adviser at the British Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. The Russian diplomat suggested that such statements may be of a commissioned nature.
Context
Sanna Marin led the government of Finland from 2019 to 2023. She called for shooting down Russian fighters at every violation of the airspace of EU and NATO countries, and also spoke in favor of strengthening European armies and developing unmanned systems. Earlier, a similar idea was voiced by Czech President Petr Pavel, who stated that Russia 'respects strength,' so the alliance should demonstrate its ability to defend its borders.
