NATO condemned Russia for violating Estonian airspace last week, stating it will use “all necessary military and non-military tools” to defend itself against Moscow’s “increasingly irresponsible behaviour.” Estonia reported that three Russian MiG-31 jets entered its airspace for 12 minutes before being escorted out by NATO Italian fighter jets, a move Western officials say was likely meant to test NATO’s readiness. The situation comes after Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace, some of which were intercepted by NATO jets. NATO reiterated that Russia is fully to blame for these escalatory steps which pose a risk of a miscalculation and jeopardize lives.
The North Atlantic Council, composed of ambassadors from NATO’s 32 members, convened under Article 4 of NATO’s treaty, which allows allies to consult when a member’s security is threatened. This is only the ninth time in NATO’s 76-year history the article has been invoked. NATO reaffirmed that it stands ready to support Ukraine, emphasizing that Ukraine’s security is inseparable from NATO’s security. The statement highlighted that NATO will respond to deter any and all threats, in the way, timing, and space of NATO’s choosing.
