European Union leaders will discuss their response to violations of European airspace by Russia at the upcoming meeting in Copenhagen on October 1, European Council President Antonio Costa announced.
“Today’s violation of Estonia’s airspace by three Russian military aircraft is another unacceptable provocation. This once again underscores the urgent need to strengthen the eastern flank, deepen European defense cooperation, and increase pressure on Russia. We will address our joint response to Russia’s actions at the informal European Council meeting in Copenhagen on October 1,” Costa said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described Russia’s breach of Estonian airspace as “an extremely dangerous provocation.”
Kallas, former Prime Minister of Estonia, added that the EU stands fully in solidarity with Estonia.
“I am in close contact with the Estonian government. We will continue to support member states in strengthening their defense using European resources. Putin is testing the West’s resolve. We must not show weakness,” Kallas said.
Three Russian aircraft were detected flying in Estonian airspace this morning. They remained for 12 minutes before being intercepted by an Italian air patrol mission. Estonia is the third NATO member state to report a violation of its airspace by Russia in recent weeks, following similar incidents in Romania and Poland.
