https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czrp6p5mj3zo
“Estonia has requested a consultation with other Nato members after Russian
warplanes violated its airspace on Friday.
Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered the Estonian skies "without
permission and remained there for a total of 12 minutes" over the Gulf of
Finland, the government said.
Italy, Finland and Sweden scrambled jets under Nato's mission to bolster its
eastern flank. A Nato spokesperson said it was "yet another example of reckless
Russian behaviour and Nato's ability to respond".
Russia denied violating Estonian airspace. But tensions have been escalating
recently, after Poland and Romania - both Nato members - said Russian drones
breached their airspace.
Article 4 of the Nato treaty formally starts urgent consultations within the
32-member alliance, which ties the US and many European nations together on
collective defence.
It is the second time this month that a Nato member has requested Article 4
consultations. Poland did so on 10 September after Russian drones entered its
airspace.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said "Nato's response to any provocation
must be united and strong".
"We consider it essential to consult with our allies to ensure shared
situational awareness and to agree on our next joint steps," Michal said.
US President Donald Trump said on Friday: "I don't love it. I don't like when
that happens. Could be big trouble."
Estonia, which shares a border with Russia to the east, says this was the fifth
Russian violation of its airspace this year.”
Via Susan ****
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
