UNITED NATIONS: Tensions flared at the United Nations on Monday as NATO allies accused Russia of repeated violations of alliance airspace, warning that such actions could risk sparking a direct armed confrontation between Moscow and the West.
The accusations came during a heated Security Council meeting where British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned what she described as Moscow’s “reckless actions.” Cooper warned that Russia’s behavior risked drawing NATO into a conflict it does not seek but is fully prepared for. “Our alliance is defensive but be under no illusion — we stand ready to defend NATO’s skies and NATO’s territory,” she said. “If we need to confront planes operating in NATO space without permission, then we will do so.”
The immediate dispute stems from incidents last week when three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets allegedly entered Estonian airspace without authorization, remaining for 12 minutes before withdrawing under NATO pressure. Estonian officials said the violation was intentional and aimed at testing the alliance’s vigilance. Just a week earlier, more than 20 Russian drones had crossed into Polish airspace, triggering NATO fighter jets to intercept and shoot down several of them.
Western ministers, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, echoed Britain’s concerns, saying the repeated nature of such incursions undermined Moscow’s claims of error or accident. Kallas argued that the violations should be seen as deliberate provocations meant to intimidate NATO members and probe their readiness.
Ukraine, which is not part of NATO but has long sought closer security ties, urged the alliance to respond decisively. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Moscow’s airspace violations highlighted the need for deeper integration of Ukraine’s air defenses with NATO systems. “A strong response means that a threat should not be escorted — neither for 12 minutes nor for one minute. It should be neutralised,” he said.
The United States also issued a stern warning. Michael Waltz, the newly appointed US envoy to the UN, used his first appearance before the Council to underscore Washington’s commitment to NATO’s collective defense. “The United States and our allies will defend every inch of NATO territory,” he stressed, urging Russia to ease tensions rather than escalate them.
Russia dismissed the accusations as unfounded. Deputy Ambassador to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy rejected the allegations outright, saying Western powers were staging “a theater of the absurd.” He accused NATO members of fueling hysteria and insisted that Moscow was open to “serious discussions” on European security — but only under conditions that served mutual interests.
The Security Council’s debate underscored the rising risk of confrontation between NATO and Russia, as the alliance scheduled urgent consultations for Tuesday to assess the incidents. With ongoing fighting in Ukraine and mounting airspace tensions, fears are growing that miscalculations could trigger a wider conflict in Europe.
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