NATO warns Russia after Estonian airspace violation
NATO on Tuesday condemned Russia for violating Estonian airspace saying, “we would use all necessary military and non-military tools to defend ourselves.’’
This came as NATO faced “a pattern of increasingly irresponsible behaviour” by Moscow.
Estonia on Friday said three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated its airspace for 12 minutes before being escorted out by NATO Italian fighter jets, an incident Western officials said was likely designed to test NATO’s readiness and resolve.
The incident occurred the week after some 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace, prompting NATO jets to shoot down some of them.
“Russia bears full responsibility for these actions, which are escalatory, risk miscalculation and endanger lives. They must stop,’’ the alliance’s North Atlantic Council said in a statement.
“Russia should be in no doubt: NATO and Allies will employ, in accordance with international law, all necessary military and non-military tools to defend ourselves and deter all threats from all directions,’’ the statement said.
“We will continue to respond in the manner, timing, and domain of our choosing.’’
The meeting of the North Atlantic Council, made up of ambassadors from the alliance’s 32 member countries, was called by Estonia under Article 4 of NATO’s founding treaty.
The article states allies will “consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security” of a member is threatened.
It is only the ninth time in NATO’s 76-year history that the article has been invoked – and two of those occasions have come this month in response to the incidents over Poland and Estonia.
“Allies will not be deterred by these and other irresponsible acts by Russia from their enduring commitments to support Ukraine, whose security contributes to ours, in the exercise of its inherent right to self-defence against Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war of aggression,’’ the NATO statement said.
(Reuters/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
World
Toddler found alive in mortuary after being declared dead from drowning
A toddler, who drowned in a pool, has been found alive in a mortuary after he was declared dead by a doctor.
Hot news Home top
Officers who wait for orders to kill terrorists will be treated as bandits: Defence Minister
Defence Minister Christopher Musa says security personnel do not need to wait for an order before engaging armed bandits or terrorists.
Heading 3
Reps urge Tinubu to act as Nigerians paid N2.23 trillion ransom to kidnappers
The House emphasised the need to strengthen financial intelligence and collaboration among relevant security.
NationWide
2024 Bid Round: NUPRC hands petroleum prospecting licences to 12 firms
NUPRC said the exercise marked another milestone in efforts to attract fresh investment into the upstream petroleum industry.
Hot news Home top
ADC bars state chapters from receiving court processes, engaging lawyers
Mr Abdullahi said the party received reports that court processes relating to the ADC were being served on state chapters across the country.
Heading 4
NiMet predicts three-day cloudy, rainy atmosphere from Thursday
According to NiMet, strong winds may precede rain in areas where thunderstorms are likely.





