Necva Taştan Sevinç
22 September 2025•Update: 22 September 2025
ISTANBUL
Estonia warned the international community on Monday that a recent violation of its airspace by Russian fighter jets marks a “dangerous escalation” and is part of a broader pattern of provocations by Moscow against neighboring states.
“This is a dangerous escalation. It was the fourth violation of Estonia’s airspace by Russia this year,” Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said at a press conference ahead of the emergency UN Security Council meeting.
Estonia requested the meeting on Sunday after three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered its airspace on Sept. 19.
Tsahkna stressed that the incident posed a threat not only to Estonia but to the wider international community.
“This outrageous breach of our territorial integrity follows similar provocations against Poland and Romania. It forms part of a wider pattern of Russian provocations while Moscow continues its full-scale invasion of Ukraine,” he said.
Calling the airspace violation “a destabilizing escalation that brings the entire region closer to conflict,” Tsahkna said Estonia invoked Rule 50 to formally request the emergency session, and thanked South Korea, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council.
He urged Russia to “cease without delay its war of aggression against Ukraine, end all provocations against its neighbors, and abide by the Charter of the United Nations.”
“The international community must stand firm in defending sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful settlement of disputes. Such outrageous actions must always be called out, especially when committed by a permanent member of the Security Council, entrusted with safeguarding international peace and security,” he said.
Asked whether Europe faces criticism for applying double standards — acting quickly against Russia but less decisively over Israel’s actions in Gaza — Tsahkna rejected the claim.
“Europe is not guilty of double standards. Europe has been very clear about international law, international principles, and the UN Charter,” he said.
