Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has delivered a stark warning to Russia during her first address to the UN Security Council, saying Moscow risks "direct armed confrontation" with NATO through its airspace violations. Speaking on Monday, Cooper condemned recent Russian incursions as deliberate provocations that threaten European security.
Cooper told the UN that Russian violations represented a dangerous escalation. She said: "They are a deliberate attempt to undermine the territorial integrity of sovereign nations and European security. They risk miscalculation. They open the door to direct armed confrontation between Nato and Russia."
Estonian airspace breach
The warning follows a significant incident on 19 September when three Russian military jets entered Estonian airspace without authorisation. The aircraft remained in NATO territory for 12 minutes before being intercepted by Italian jets operating as part of NATO's Eastern Sentry mission.
The Estonian breach was part of a broader pattern of Russian provocations across NATO's eastern borders. Similar incidents occurred in Poland and Romania, where Russian drones were either intercepted or destroyed over NATO territory.
Growing tensions
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said his country was closer to "open conflict" than at any time since the Second World War. The EU's high representative on foreign affairs warned that Russia was "testing the West's resolve" through these aggressive actions.
Britain responded to the Polish drone incursion by deploying RAF Typhoon jets to join NATO's Eastern Sentry mission. The aircraft flew their first operational mission over Poland on the evening of 19 September.
Strong deterrent message
Cooper emphasised NATO's readiness to defend its airspace against future violations. She said: "Our alliance is defensive, but be under no illusion, we stand ready to take all steps necessary to defend Nato's skies and Nato's territory. We are vigilant. We are resolute. And if we need to confront planes that are operating in Nato airspace without permission, then we will do so."
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
