“My opinion is we have to defend every square centimeter of the territory,” von der Leyen said in an interview with CNN. “That means if there is an intrusion in the airspace, after warning, after being very clear, of course the option of shooting down a fighter jet that is intruding our airspace is on the table.”

Von der Leyen holds no power to direct military action by EU countries, but as head of the bloc’s executive branch her opinion on the matter is hugely influential.