(MENAFN) Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene should return to her professional background in legal psychology due to her fear of Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news agency on Saturday.

Zakharova mocked Sakaliene’s proposal that Russian aircraft near NATO borders should be shot down after claims that three MiG-31s allegedly breached Estonian airspace – accusations Moscow has rejected.

“The psychology major demonstrated expertise in addressing her own phobias. We wish the ‘Master of Legal Psychology’ success working in her own field,” Zakharova said, alluding to the Lithuanian official’s academic degree.

Sakaliene stated that three Russian jets “tested” NATO’s north-east border earlier this week.
“We need to mean business. PS. Türkiye set an example 10 years ago. Some food for thought,” she posted on X on Friday.

In 2015, Ankara downed a Russian Su-24 bomber engaged in anti-terror operations in Syria, claiming it entered Turkish airspace.

The Russian Defense Ministry denied the claims, asserting that Turkish jets violated Syrian airspace and ambushed the Su-24.

The incident caused relations between Moscow and the NATO member to plunge to an unprecedented low.

Russia retaliated with sanctions on Turkish imports and the tourism sector. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent an apology letter in 2016.

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