International Politics

ESTONIA – Estonia have demanded urgent talks with Nato allies after three Russian fighter jets entered its airspace in a ‘reckless’ and ‘brazen’ attempt to intimidate the Baltic state.

Donald Trump warned of ‘big trouble’ after the powerful MiG-31 warplanes spent 12 minutes violating Estonian airspace on Friday, as they conducted combat operations to test the country’s defences. 

The move sparked an emergency response from Nato, which sent in F-35 fighters to intercept the Russian aggression. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper posted on social media that the UK ‘stands with our Estonian allies’. 

Despite Trump’s condemnation of the move, Vladimir Putin launched a devastating overnight strike on Ukraine, killing at least three people and wounding dozens more.

Russia deny violating Estonian airspace, but tensions have continued to heighten, as in further provocation by Putin, two Russian jets also made a show of force over a Polish oil platform in the Baltic Sea, breaching its safety zone.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said his country had decided to ask Nato to open consultations under Article 4 of the alliance’s treaty, which formally starts urgent consultations within the 32-member alliance.

‘Such a violation is completely unacceptable. Nato’s response to any provocation must be united and strong,’ Michal said.

Russia deny violating Estonian airspace, but tensions have continued to heighten. (Pic: The Guardian)