NATO calls urgent talks after Russian warplanes enter Estonian airspace
Photo: NATO ambassadors' meeting scheduled for September 23 (Getty Images)
NATO ambassadors will meet to discuss the violation of Estonian airspace by Russian aircraft that occurred several days ago, according to The Guardian.
A meeting of NATO ambassadors is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23.
The talks will take place after Estonia launches an emergency discussion procedure under Article 4, which will allow Alliance representatives to respond to the incident.
The day before, Estonia initiated an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council after Russian aircraft invaded its airspace.
Russian aircraft in Estonian airspace
On the morning of September 19, 3 Russian fighter jets flew into Estonian airspace without permission.
Moscow claimed that the flight of its MiGs was in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace and did not violate the borders of other states.
However, the Estonian Ministry of Defense published a map of the route taken by the three fighter jets, which remained in Estonian airspace for almost 12 minutes.
Later, Estonia proposed closing its eastern border after the incident.
The EU and NATO also reacted to the latest violations of NATO countries' airspace by Russian aircraft.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that the violation of Estonian airspace by Russian military aircraft is an extremely dangerous provocation.
Kallas added that support for NATO member states will be strengthened.
At the same time, NATO said that the Alliance immediately responded to the intrusion into Estonian airspace and intercepted the Russian MiG-31Ks.
"This is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and NATO's ability to respond," said Alliance spokesperson Allison Hart.
