Petr Pavel, the president of the Czech Republic, has called on NATO to take decisive measures in response to Russian aggression following Vladimir Putin’s recent actions.
Reports have emerged that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets allegedly entered Estonia’s airspace for about 12 minutes on Friday (September 19). This incident follows a recent intrusion by Russian drones into Polish airspace.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna criticized Putin’s action as ‘unprecedentedly brazen’, saying: “Russia has violated Estonian airspace four times already this year, which is unacceptable in itself, but today’s violation, during which three fighter jets entered our airspace, is unprecedentedly brazen.
“Russia’s ever-increasing testing of borders and aggressiveness must be responded to by rapidly strengthening political and economic pressure.”
A NATO spokesperson also commented, describing it as ‘yet another example of reckless Russian behavior and NATO’s ability to respond’.
Pavel has suggested that NATO should consider ‘shooting down Russian jets if necessary’, following statements from the Kremlin that NATO is ‘at war with Russia’.
“Russia will realize very quickly that they have made a mistake and crossed the acceptable boundaries,” he stated, according to the Czech News Agency and Associated Press.
“Unfortunately, this is teetering on the edge of conflict, but giving in to evil is simply not an option.”
In light of Russia’s recent actions, EU foreign policy chief and former Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas commented on the escalating tensions in Europe through social media.
“Today’s violation of Estonia’s airspace by Russian military aircraft is an extremely dangerous provocation,” she noted.
“This marks the third such violation of EU airspace in days and further escalates tensions in the region. The EU stands in full solidarity with Estonia.
“I am in close contact with the Estonian government.
“We will continue to support our member states in strengthening their defenses with European resources.
“Putin is testing the West’s resolve. We must not show weakness.”
Moscow has denied any violations of Poland’s and Estonia’s airspace, claiming their aircraft remained in neutral Baltic waters rather than entering Estonian airspace.
Donald Trump has also weighed in on the situation, stating: “I don’t love it. I don’t like it when that happens. It could be big trouble.”
In response to the airspace incursions, Poland has requested the invocation of NATO’s Article 4, which stipulates that NATO members ‘will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened’.