27 November 2014, 14:45 GMT
BRUSSELS, December 1 (Sputnik) – Russia needs to conduct its reconnaissance flights in a “more responsible way,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday.
“Russia is approaching our borders, approaching NATO ships very close and conducting their flights without filing their flight plans, not turning on transponders and not communicating with civilian air traffic control. We ask Russia to conduct those flights in a more responsible way,” Stoltenberg said during a monthly press conference in Brussels.
12 October 2014, 22:00 GMT
Russia's Defense Ministry has repeatedly stated that all Russian Air Force flights are carried out in strict accordance with international regulations on the use of airspace over neutral waters, and do not violate the borders of other states.
Earlier in November, Stoltenberg announced that NATO launched its jets twice as often this year due to Russia's increased air activity in Europe.
The secretary general's statements come amid worsened relations between Russia and NATO since the alliance accused Russia of meddling in the Ukrainian conflict, a claim that Russia has repeatedly denied.
