NATO condemns Russian fighter jets' incursion into Estonia and promises strong response

On Tuesday (23 September), the North Atlantic Council met at the request of Estonia under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty due to the intrusion of Russian fighter j ets into Estonian airspace. In a statement, the Alliance said that NATO's response «to Russia's reckless actions will remain resolute».

This is stated in a NATO statement following the meeting, according to «Evropeiska Pravda».

The Alliance stressed that this is the second meeting of the North Atlantic Council in two weeks in connection with Russian violations. On 10 September, similar consultations were held due to the massive intrusion of Russian drones into Polish airspace.

«This incursion is part of a broader trend of increasingly irresponsible Russian behaviour. This is the second time in two weeks that the North Atlantic Council has held an Article 4 meeting. On 10 September, the Council held consultations in response to a large-scale violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones», the statement said.

In addition, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Romania have recently faced similar incidents.

«Russia bears full responsibility for these actions, which escalate the conflict, risk misjudging the situation and endanger lives. They must stop», the statement said.

Allies are ready to use all necessary means to defend their territories and deter the aggressor.

«Russia should have no doubts: NATO and its Allies will use all necessary military and non-military means, in accordance with international law, to defend themselves and to deter all threats from all sides», the statement said.

The Alliance stressed that no Kremlin provocations would affect its support for Ukraine.

Estonia is ready to host British F-35A fighter jets, which can carry nuclear bombs, in the future.

EU reaction

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas called the incident «an extremely dangerous provocation». She noted that this was the third violation of EU airspace in recent days and emphasised that the «Putin is testing the West's resolve and we must not show weakness».

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in turn, called on EU leaders to adopt the 19th package of sanctions against Russia as soon as possible, which includes a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas.

NATO's response

NATO has also confirmed the violation of Estonian airspace. According to NATO spokesperson Alison Hart, Italian F-35 fighter jets were deployed to intercept the Russian aircraft.