Russian drones attacked Ukraine's Izmail region, just a half-mile from the Romania border, this week. (Reuters )
Andrew D’Anieri, associate director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, told Fox News Digital that while it isn’t crystal clear whether Putin is openly testing Article 5, his apparent lack of caution about these actions is telling.
"The kind of alarming thing is, we haven’t seen any real response from NATO to any of these," D'Anieri said.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė, while stressing that there is no evidence suggesting the latest drone breached intentionally, said "this is an unprecedented and alarming incident," especially given that the drone flew just one kilometer from the president’s residence.
Describing the behavior as "reckless drone incursions," she warned they amount to "a direct test of NATO’s resolve." In response, Lithuania has pledged to review its defensive protocols and urged NATO to bolster its air defenses as a clear message that the alliance stands ready to safeguard every inch of its territory.
Romania, having endured repeated drone spillovers, passed a law this May empowering its forces to intercept or destroy unauthorized drones. As a result, no incursion occurred in connection with the latest strike near its border.
Bruno Kahl, head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, has been sounding the alarm for months. In November 2024, Kahl cautioned that Russia’s growing employment of hybrid tactics — ranging from sabotage and cyberattacks to disinformation — raises the likelihood that NATO may ultimately feel compelled to invoke Article 5.
NATO JETS SCRAMBLED AMID RUSSIA'S LARGEST DRONE ATTACK ON UKRAINE
Russia has attacked Ukraine using Iranian-made Shahed drones, some of which have traipsed into NATO territory. (Getty Images )
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Still, the president remained optimistic about negotiations after his envoy, Steve Witkoff, traveled to Russia to meet with Putin. "Great progress was made!" Trump promised. "Everyone agrees this war must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come."
The Kremlin has claimed Trump and Putin will soon meet face-to-face for negotiations for the first time in this administration.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/russian-drones-test-natos-article-5-defense-guarantee-ahead-friday-sanctions-deadline