HAMILTON, Canada 

The US envoy on Monday denounced reports of Russia's latest violation of Estonia's airspace, urging the need to seek de-escalation.

"Just nine days ago, this council met to discuss Russia's violation of Poland's airspace with a large number of military drones," newly appointed US envoy Mike Waltz said at an emergency session of the UN Security Council, adding that the US previously "urged Russia to end the war in Ukraine and stop actions that could risk escalating it into a broader conflict."

"Instead, on Sept. 19, Russia again violated the airspace of a NATO member when three armed military aircraft flew 10 nautical miles into Estonian airspace, coming within 15 miles of the Estonian parliament," he said, expressing solidarity with NATO allies.

"I want to take this first opportunity to repeat and to emphasize that the United States and our allies will defend every inch of NATO territory," he said.

Calling on Moscow to "urgently stop such dangerous behavior at a time when President (Donald) Trump and the United States have been focused and spent an enormous amount of time and effort to end this horrific war between Russia and Ukraine," the US envoy also noted: "We expect Russia to seek ways to de-escalate, not risk expansion."

"This event, following on the heels of the Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace, creates the impression that Russia either wants to escalate and pull more countries into this conflict with Ukraine or doesn't have full control of those who operate its fighter planes and drones," he said, branding each scenario "very disconcerting."

Waltz further urged Russia to "uphold international peace and security, to respect the sovereignty of its neighbors, and to cease violating their airspace."

He also pointed to the need for "direct" negotiation between Russia and Ukraine.

Estonia accused Russia on Friday of violating its airspace after three MiG-31 fighter jets entered its skies without permission. The Foreign Ministry said the incursion occurred in the area of Vaindloo Island in the Baltic Sea, with the jets remaining in Estonian airspace for nearly 12 minutes, according to the national news agency ERR.

In response, the ministry summoned the charge d'affaires of Russia in Tallinn to deliver a formal protest note. Moscow has denied the alleged incursions, as well as other similar incidents in NATO countries in recent weeks.