German FM calls for stronger NATO eastern flank after drone incidents

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has urged NATO allies to reinforce the alliance's eastern flank and step up pressure on Russia, he told the ZDF TV channel, Report informs via TASS.

"Russia must know that we will always respond," Wadephul said, commenting on recent drone incursions into Poland and Romania. He stressed the need to improve NATO's border assets, particularly air defense. "This primarily involves systems that can react faster. We already have such defenses in Greece and Spain - we should consider deploying them directly to the eastern flank," he noted.

His remarks follow NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's September 12 announcement of Operation Eastern Sentinel, a new mission designed to strengthen the alliance's positions along its eastern borders. The operation, to be launched soon, will involve forces from Denmark, France, the UK, Germany, and other members.