European allies have warned they will shoot down Russian planes or drones involved in further violations of NATO airspace during an emergency and heated session of the United Nations (UN) Security Council.
The warnings came after NATO member Estonia requested the meeting because three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered its airspace over the Gulf of Finland without permission on September 26.
At the meeting, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Moscow was risking “direct armed conflict between NATO and Russia.”
“Our alliance is defensive, but be under no illusions… If we have to confront aircraft that enter NATO airspace without permission, we will,” she said.
In his first address as the new US ambassador to the UN, Michael Walz told the Security Council that the United States and its allies would “defend every inch of NATO territory.”
Addressing the Russian delegation directly, Polish Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski said that it is well known that Russia is not interested in international law and is incapable of living in peace with its neighbors.
“Your insane nationalism carries within it a lust for domination that will not cease until you understand that the age of empires is over and that your empire will not be restored. Every drone strike carried out by the heroes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine brings that day closer,” he added.
At the end of his speech, Sikorski issued a stark warning.
“If another missile or plane enters our airspace without permission, intentionally or “accidentally,” and is shot down, and the wreckage falls on NATO territory, please do not come here to complain. You have been warned,” Sikorski said.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that “the international community must resolutely demand an end to these blatant violations of the UN Charter in order to prevent further escalation.”
“Russian threats and provocations will not weaken our resolve to support Ukraine,” he added.
The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said she believed the incident was a “deliberate provocation.”
“Russia is testing European borders and undermining security,” she said.
Russia’s Defense Ministry denied that its planes had entered Estonian airspace, insisting that the flights were carried out “in strict accordance with international rules.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov repeated that denial yesterday, saying the accusations were contributing to an escalation of tensions.
