The United States expressed “dissatisfaction” with Russia over the Su-35 flight a few meters from a US patrol aircraft over the Mediterranean Sea, said General Tod Walters, Commander of the US European Command and NATO Commander-in-Chief in Europe.
“This, obviously, was unpleasant, as you can imagine. I watched the video and examined the intentions (of the Russian pilot – ed.). My conclusion at the moment was more unprofessional than intentional. We are investigating, it is ongoing.” said the Walters at a briefing.
“The mission in Moscow has already begun a discussion with the authorities in Moscow to make clear our dissatisfaction with this event,” Walters added.
The U.S. Navy previously said that on April 15, the U.S. P-8A Poseidon, flying in international airspace over the Mediterranean Sea, was intercepted by the Russian Su-35. The US military said the Su-35 flew at high speed upside down at a distance of 25 feet directly in front of the American aircraft, which felt turbulence as a result. The US military said the actions of the Russian pilot were “irresponsible,” and claimed that the American plane “did not provoke Russian actions.”
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has previously repeatedly noted that flights of Russian aviation are carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace.