While there are “parameters” for the downing by force of Russian planes violating Estonian airspace, Estonia has the means to use proportionate force where necessary, Prime Minister Kristen Michal (Reform) said Friday evening.
The prime minister spoke to ETV’s evening news show “Aktuaalne kaamera” after three Russian Air Force MiG-31 jets violated Estonia’s airspace over the island of Vaindloo in the Gulf of Finland.
Today is a day when Russia has quite clearly provoked us, so the time is right to inform NATO how they should defend us. What have we asked for, and what have we been promised?
First of all, I would say that NATO’s air defenses did work – the planes scrambled and forced the Russian planes to leave. But naturally, to be in Estonian airspace for such a long period of time, that is at the very least malicious, if not a planned operation. I have also been in contact with the NATO Secretary General several times already, and our request is to invoke Article 4, which means political consultations among allies, then the North Atlantic Council is to assemble to discuss and decide what else is needed.
Luckily [NATO] Operation Eastern Sentry has also been initiated, which focuses on Poland and the Baltic states specifically. But our message with Article Four is still that the protection of our airspace and its violation in the Baltic states must also be taken just as seriously, and Russia’s desperate steps and escalation must also be taken seriously.
Read more: ERR.EE
