Danish foreign minister warns Russia's neighbors fear being next target
Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Danish Foreign Minister (photo: Getty Images)
Neighboring states of Russia fear they may face an invasion from the aggressor country, said Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Reuters reported.
Rasmussen stated that the incursion of Russian fighter jets into Estonian airspace was "dangerous and reckless." He clarified that the aircraft flew 10 kilometers north of Tallinn.
"Let there be no doubt: I condemn this latest violation of Estonia's sovereignty and territorial integrity by Russia. Our support for Estonia remains steadfast," the minister added.
According to him, such Russian provocations are aimed at intimidating "countries to stop supporting Ukraine and to test our resolve."
"Russia clearly feels it can act with impunity in Ukraine, the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, the whole of eastern Europe," Rasmussen pointed out.
He assured that Denmark and its allies will not give in to Moscow's provocations.
"We have seen this playbook before the invasion of Georgia, the annexation of Crimea, the invasion of the Donbas, the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia's neighbours, not unreasonably, fear that they could be next. Therefore, we tell Russia today: step back, step back. Take another path. We will not allow the unravelling of the European security architecture," the official said.
MiG-31s entered Estonia
Last week, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace. Such aircraft are capable of carrying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.
In response, the Estonian authorities summoned the Russian chargé d'affaires to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Estonia also initiated consultations with its NATO allies.
