Estonia requires the activation of Article 4 of the NATO treaty following the Russian incursion. It's the second time in a week
Estonia has officially requested consultations of the Allies based on Article 4 of the NATO treaty in connection with its air space of three Russian aircraft, prime minister Kristen Michal announced.
Estonia asked to activate Article 4 of NATO Photo Shutterstock Treaty
Estonian Prime Minister confirmed that three Russian MIG-31 fighter jets entered the Estonian airspace and were intercepted by NATO fighter jets. “Forced to run”.
“Such a violation is totally unacceptable”said Michal, quoted by The Guardian.
The announcement comes in the context in which three Russian fighter jets entered the air space of Estonia, above the Gulf of Finland, where they remained for 12 minutes.
It is the third violation of the NATO airspace in the last two weeks, after Russian drones have entered without permission in the airspace of Poland and Romania, actions that have been convicted by NATO.
It is the ninth time in the history of the Alliance when the procedure provided for in Article 4 of NATO is also triggered in just one week.
On September 10, Poland asked to activate Article 4 of NATO after a series of Russian military drones crossed the border with this country during a massive attack on Ukraine. Some of them were shot down by the Polish army, but at least one managed to cause material damage on the Polish territory.
Article 4 allows any Member State to convene consultations if its territorial integrity, political independence or security are threatened.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, in February 2022, similar incidents have taken place – including on the territory of Romania. So far, NATO member states have avoided breaking the Russian appliances that violated their air space, invoking the risks associated with a possible escalation with Moscow.
