Russian incursions into NATO allies’ airspace are causing rare public disagreements between treaty allies. Is this the disarray that Moscow wants, or a sign of healthy debate? Officials we spoke to suggested that the answer is both.

On the eve of a Wednesday meeting of alliance defense ministers in Brussels, Secretary-General Mark Rutte argued to his colleagues that shooting down Russian crewed aircraft over NATO territory would show weakness, not strength. Across the Atlantic a day later, Danish Army chief Maj. Gen. Peter Harling Boysen had a more aggressive message for allies: “Shoot down Russian drones, period.” To be sure, alliance policy may differ for manned and unmanned incursions—but members are still arguing about the policy.

The disagreement is even sharper behind closed door

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