Washington, DC—In response to reports that NATO jets have intercepted more than two dozen Russian military aircraft in the past 24 hours and that this aircraft was conducting “significant military maneuvers” on the edges of NATO and European air space, Congressman Mike Turner, Chairman of the U.S. Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, released the following statement:

"Last week, a Russian spy plane violated NATO airspace for the first time since the end of the Cold War. 

Over the last 24 hours, we have seen increasingly adventuresome, unusual activity by the Russian military in international air space.  

Russia’s escalating provocative acts of intimidation and threats of destabilization are cause for concern—not just for our European allies—but for the entire NATO alliance. 

Putin shows no signs of letting up and today’s reports are another reminder of the necessity of a strong, united, and well-equipped NATO alliance in the face of an aggressor state."