Riga, 21 September 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur has said that the reaction of Estonia and NATO to the violation of Estonian airspace by Russia was appropriate.

The incident had shown that the NATO air defence system worked effectively and well and that there was also a willingness to use force if necessary, Pevkur said after a meeting in parliament in Tallinn on Saturday.

The National Defence Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee met there for a joint extraordinary session. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna also said: "NATO has reacted appropriately."

According to Estonian reports, three Russian fighter jets entered the airspace of the Baltic EU and NATO state near Vaindloo without authorization on Friday.

The NATO alliance reacted immediately and intercepted the Russian aircraft. "NATO is acting exactly as agreed. There was no direct military threat to Estonia, but we absolutely do not accept Russia violating Estonian and NATO airspace," Tsahkna asserted.

Following the incident, Estonia requested consultations under Article 4 of the NATO Treaty.

The article provides for consultations with the allies if a NATO state considers itself to be under threat from outside.

Its application by Estonia is seen by other allies as a completely appropriate step, said Tsahkna, referring to talks with the United States and other NATO member states.

Airspace violations by Russia have recently caused increasing unrest among the NATO allies in Europe. Pevkur described the increased provocations as part of a strategy intended to signal to the West that its priority should be self-defence and not support for Ukraine.

Photo: EPA