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NATO has issued a stern warning to Russia after repeated airspace violations over Estonia and Poland, stressing that the alliance is ready to use “all necessary military and non-military tools” to defend its members. The statement followed Estonia’s claim that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered its airspace for 12 minutes before being escorted out by NATO Italian jets. Just a week earlier, about 20 Russian drones crossed into Polish territory, some of which were shot down by NATO aircraft.
The incidents triggered Estonia to invoke Article 4 of NATO’s founding treaty, prompting an urgent meeting of the North Atlantic Council. NATO emphasized that Russia’s actions are reckless, escalatory, and risk dangerous miscalculations. “Russia should be in no doubt: NATO and Allies will defend ourselves and deter all threats,” the alliance said. NATO commanders retain the authority to respond decisively if intruding aircraft are deemed an immediate threat.
U.S. President Donald Trump reinforced this stance at the United Nations General Assembly, saying NATO members should be prepared to shoot down Russian aircraft violating their airspace. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth echoed Washington’s support in a call with Estonia’s defense minister, stressing that any incursion into NATO airspace is unacceptable.
The Group of Seven (G7) nations also condemned the violations, pledging to work with the U.S. to provide Ukraine with stronger security guarantees and impose new economic costs on Russia and its enablers.
While some European politicians urged NATO to consider direct military responses, others, including German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, cautioned against reckless escalation. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte clarified that the Russian jets over Estonia were not shot down because they posed no immediate threat, though future actions remain at the discretion of NATO commanders.
Despite Moscow’s denial of the violations, NATO vowed to continue supporting Ukraine against Russia’s ongoing war of aggression and to defend its eastern flank with unwavering determination.
