Russia invades Estonia's air territory, sparking NATO's article 4 response.
Estonia has become the second NATO member in Europe to invoke Article 4 of the treaty, following a recent incident involving Russian aircraft in its airspace.
The Russian fighter jets entered Estonian airspace on Friday, remaining for a total of 12 minutes, according to the Estonian government. This move has prompted the Estonian Prime Minister, Kristen Michal, to call for consultation with allies to maintain unity and agreement on next steps.
Michal emphasised the importance of a united and strong response from NATO to any provocation, and highlighted the need for shared situational awareness within the alliance. The Estonian government is seeking consultation with its allies to maintain a united front and agree on appropriate actions.
The incident comes shortly after Poland invoked Article 4 of the NATO Treaty on 10th September, following violations of its airspace by Russian drones. One of the drones went so far into Polish territory that airports had to be shut down. The Polish government's move was a response to the alleged violations and underscored the importance of maintaining shared situational awareness within NATO.
Russia, however, denies targeting either Estonian or Polish states. According to a statement released after the incident, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that the flight was carried out in strict conformity with international rules. Russia also denies violating Estonian airspace, claiming the jets flew over neutral waters of the Baltic Sea.
The Estonian Prime Minister's call for consultation with allies may indicate increased tension in the region. Michal stressed the need for consultation to ensure shared situational awareness and agree on joint steps, underlining the importance of a unified NATO response to any potential provocations.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how NATO allies will respond to the latest airspace violation incident and what steps will be taken to maintain peace and security in the region.
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