Estonia highlights "pattern of Russian provocations"; Moscow denies

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This "fourth airspace violation" in 2025 was "a dangerous escalation," an action that is "part of a broader pattern of Russian provocations against its neighbors," Estonia's Foreign Minister (FM) said Monday. Margus Tsahkna was speaking at the emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, the first convened in over thirty years of UN membership, after Russia invaded Estonian airspace last week.

"We are here today [this Monday] because this incident concerns not only Estonia, but the entire international community," said the Estonian foreign minister, noting that Moscow's "reckless" actions represent "a destabilizing escalation that brings the entire region closer to a conflict unlike anything seen in recent years."

That was how the Estonian leader concluded reading a declaration supported by 50 countries and the European Union, with a direct appeal to Russia. "Cease, without delay, your war of aggression against Ukraine," he exclaimed, also calling for "an end to all provocations and threats against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of your neighbors."

The Russian representative's response at the meeting was immediate. Dmitry Polyanskiy denied the entry of three MiG-31 fighter jets while accusing Tallinn of "Russophobic hysteria."

The Europe that existed during the Renaissance is “gone forever,” “Voltaire, Rousseau, and Kant” have turned into “Von der Leyen, Kallas, and other petty, narrow-minded Russophobes,” the Russian diplomat said.

Dmitry Polyanskiy accused the European leadership of fostering a "primitive hatred" of Russia, aiming to "portray Moscow as the greatest threat to pan-European security." "All events are immediately interpreted through an anti-Russian prism," he added.

Addressing the topic of this emergency meeting, the Russian delegation stated that the accusations regarding the drone strike on Polish territory were made "without any evidence," noting that the narrative put forward by Estonia is part of "the spectacle called 'blaming Russia for everything.'"

He insisted that the Russian fighter jets never crossed Estonian airspace, stating that they were heading for Kaliningrad — a Russian enclave in the Baltic Sea — but that the flight was made “in accordance with the rules of international airspace” in “neutral waters.”

Dmitry Polyanskiy continued: "If you want to hype, ferment, and continue making unfounded accusations, go ahead, but do it without our participation. We will not participate in this theater of the absurd, and you don't need us here. When you decide you want to participate in a serious discussion about European security, about the fate of our common continent, about how to make this continent prosperous and safe for all, we will be ready; you know where to find us."

In direct response to Russia's intervention in the Council, Estonia's Foreign Minister accused Moscow of "lying again" by denying any invasion of its airspace, stating that the Russian fighter jets in question were "combat ready."

The head of Estonian diplomacy even presented radar images which, in his version, confirm the entry of fighter jets into his country's space .

"The violation is evident, and Russia is lying again, as it has done before," denounced Margus Tsahkna, recalling the occupation of regions of Georgia in 2008, the annexation of Crimea in 2014, and the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

“Impunity, appeasement, and further concessions would only embolden Putin and lead to further crimes,” Estonia’s Foreign Minister continued, describing Russia as “a real threat to global peace and security.”

Romania, also the target of recent incidents , wondered how far Moscow might go if the international community, especially the Security Council, doesn't react in time. The international community's inaction "could encourage future provocations," lamented the Romanian Foreign Minister.

The European Union's (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs — and former Prime Minister of Estonia — criticized Russia's "cynicism" as a member of the United Nations Security Council, violating the organization's principles with incidents such as fighter jet incursions into the airspace of countries like Estonia, Poland , and Romania.

"I say this openly to the Russian representative in this room. Your government's actions are reckless, dangerous, and go against the very principles of the United Nations," Kallas stated, emphasizing that the European response will be "unanimous and firm," assuring that the European bloc will not hesitate to support Ukraine and strengthen its eastern flank.

Kaja Kallas said that the "violation of Estonian airspace is unprecedented in both scale and recklessness. It was a deliberate provocation that could have had devastating consequences."

In response to Moscow's successive denials, Kallas replied: "It's not possible that Russia accidentally violated European airspace three times in the last two weeks." But, "if it was an accidental error, there was enough time for the Russian Federation to apologize and say it made a mistake," he emphasized. "Instead, we see a pattern. Russia is testing Europe's borders, questioning our resolve, and undermining the security of all of Europe," repeating what he said last week: Russia is "testing Europe's borders." And "it will continue to provoke as long as we let it," he concluded.

Before Estonia, Poland was the first to denounce these Russian incursions into NATO airspace. At the UN Security Council, the Polish Foreign Minister assured that they would not "be intimidated" by Russia's attempt to "reconquer Ukraine," and issued a warning:

"If a [Russian] missile or aircraft enters our space without authorization—deliberately or by mistake—and is hit and the debris falls on NATO territory, don't come here to complain. You have been warned."

In this regard, Radosław Sikorski emphasizes that the Alliance countries have given Russia a “discount” in the past under similar circumstances, and that they have never heard an apology, “only lies.”

He accused her of "not caring about international law" and of "being incapable of living in peace with her neighbors." "Your insane nationalism contains a desire for dominance that will not cease until you realize that the age of empires is over and that yours will not be rebuilt," the Pole concluded.

Mike Waltz, the representative of the US mission to the United Nations, took the opportunity to recall that the body met two weeks ago, when accusations arose about Russian drones entering Polish airspace and that, despite a direct appeal to Russia on that occasion, Moscow "again violated the airspace of another NATO country."

"The US and our allies will defend every inch of NATO territory. Russia must urgently stop this dangerous behavior," Waltz stressed, adding that he hopes Moscow "will look for ways to de-escalate, not escalate" the conflict.

The UK Foreign Secretary said Russia continues to "violate its most basic obligations under the United Nations Charter" — whether through persistent attacks on Ukraine or "reckless" invasions of Polish, Romanian, and Estonian airspace.

"These latest acts are dangerous and reckless. At worst, they are a deliberate attempt to undermine the territorial integrity of sovereign nations and European security. They risk miscalculation and open the door to a direct armed confrontation between NATO and Russia," said Yvette Cooper .

He also said that the alliance's commitment to "defending peace and security" is "unwavering," and that "the combined strength of NATO countries is unparalleled." In a statement addressed to the Russian President, Cooper warned that these actions "potentially fuel an armed confrontation between NATO and Russia."

"Our alliance is defensive, but make no mistake. We are ready to take all necessary steps to defend NATO's skies and territory. We are alert. We are determined, and if necessary, we will confront aircraft operating in NATO airspace without authorization," he concludes.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, also spoke to warn that Russia will not be limited by recent events and will likely, in the near future, provoke other European countries.

"What's next? What other emergency meeting will we have to organize in the coming weeks? Who will be the next country to have to deal with Russian provocations?" Andrii Sybiha asks rhetorically.

"None of these developments were accidental. Moscow is doing this on purpose," the Ukrainian foreign minister continues, noting that "Europe is not at war with Russia, but Russia is at war with Europe," calling for "strength and unity" as the "only way to safeguard peace."