Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that a Russian incursion into NATO airspace is “unacceptable,” only a few days after multiple Russian fighter jets entered Estonian airspace.
“Important call yesterday with my Estonian counterpart @HPevkur,” Hegseth said in a post on the social platform X. “The Russian incursion into Nato airspace is unacceptable. The Department of War stands in solidarity with Estonia and commends the rapid, strong allied response.”
Last Friday, three Russian fighter jets entered Estonian airspace, an incident that the country’s top diplomat referred to as an "unprecedented and brazen intrusion.” Later that day, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal asked for NATO Article 4 consultations.
Article 4 allows NATO members to raise any issue that threatens a country’s territorial integrity, political independence, or security to other NATO members.
“This morning, 3 Russian Mig-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace. NATO fighters responded and the Russian planes were forced to flee. Such violation is totally unacceptable. The Government of Estonia has decided to request NATO Article 4 consultations,” Michal previously said on X.
The recent tension in Eastern Europe comes amid a push from the Trump administration to end the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which will reach its 4-year mark in February.
On Tuesday, President Trump said Ukraine could be victorious in its war against Russia and reclaim the land it had lost and “maybe even go further than that.”
“After getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia Military and Economic situation and, after seeing the Economic trouble it is causing Russia, I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form,” Trump said on Truth Social.
Source: The Hill - News
