Estonia Seeks Urgent Nato Consultation After Russian Jets Violate Airspace
In a dramatic escalation of tensions between NATO and Russia, Estonia has requested an urgent consultation with other NATO member states after three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered its airspace on Friday morning without permission. The incident marked the latest in a series of provocative actions by Moscow, which has been accused of reckless behavior by the military alliance.
According to Estonian officials, the Russian warplanes entered Estonian skies "without permission and remained there for a total of 12 minutes" over the Gulf of Finland. In response, NATO scrambled jets from Italy, Finland, and Sweden under its mission to bolster its eastern flank. A NATO spokesperson described the incident as "yet another example of reckless Russian behavior and Nato's ability to respond."
Estonia's Foreign Minister condemned the violation, saying that it was a "serious breach" of international law and calling for a solid response from NATO. "This is not just an Estonian issue, but a matter of security for all NATO member states," he emphasized.
The incident highlights the ongoing efforts by NATO to strengthen its eastern flank in the face of rising tensions with Moscow. According to experts, this latest provocation is part of a broader pattern of aggressive behavior by Russia, which has been accused of numerous airspace violations and other military incursions in recent years.
NATO's swift response to intercept the Russian aircraft demonstrates the alliance's commitment to defending its member states' sovereignty and territorial integrity. "We will not tolerate any violation of our airspace or territory," said a NATO spokesperson. "Our ability to respond quickly and effectively is a testament to the strength and unity of the alliance."
Russia has denied violating Estonian airspace, but the incident has sparked widespread condemnation from European leaders and diplomats. The United States has also expressed concern over the incident, with a senior official stating that it was "yet another example of Russia's disregard for international norms and rules-based order."
The urgent consultation requested by Estonia is expected to take place in the coming days, with NATO officials meeting to discuss the implications of the incident and potential next steps. As tensions between NATO and Russia continue to escalate, one thing is clear: the alliance will not stand idly by as its member states' sovereignty is challenged.
Attribution:
According to Estonian government sources (Source 1)
A NATO spokesperson was quoted in Source 2
Estonia's Foreign Minister was quoted in Source 1
Experts and senior officials were quoted in Source 2
This story was compiled from reports by BBC World and BBC World.
