NATO sternly warns Putin: results of emergency meeting of the UN Security Council
23 September 2025 13:06
An emergency meeting of the UN Security Council was held in New York at the request of Estonia due to new violations of NATO airspace by Russian aircraft. The event attracted wide attention from world diplomats and Ukraine’s allies, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports, citing the UN Security Council meeting.
Why did the UN Security Council meet?
For the first time in its 34 years of UN membership, Estonia has requested an emergency meeting of the Security Council after Russian planes violated its airspace.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsakhkna presented evidence of violations of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets, refuting Moscow’s regular statement about “no violations.”
He showed the delegates documentary evidence, including:
- a printout with radar data from Estonian air surveillance showing unauthorized targets;
- photos of three Russian MiG-31 fighters, which, according to him, violated Estonian airspace on September 19.
“This violation is absolutely obvious, and Russia is lying again – as it has lied many times before. We remember the occupation of Georgia in 2008, Crimea in 2014, and full-scale aggression against Ukraine in 2022. So please don’t lie again. There is hard evidence,” Tsakhkna said.
European diplomats emphasized that this was not an accident, but a deliberate provocation. EU Chief Diplomat Kaja Kallas emphasized that Moscow is “testing European borders and undermining security.”
What the Ukrainian Foreign Minister said
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga called on world capitals to respond immediately:
“Such threats should not be tolerated – not for twelve minutes, not for one minute. They must be neutralized.”
He reminded that only ten days ago, the UN Security Council met at the request of Poland because of Russian drones, and now – at the request of Estonia after three aircraft violated its airspace.
“What will happen next? What other urgent meeting will we have to hold in the coming weeks? Which country will be next?” the minister asked.
Sibiga emphasized the importance of creating a common “shield of the sky”:
“This is our European sky – over Ukraine and other European countries. This is our common security space. And we must have common air defense to protect us all. Ukraine is the only country in the world that has repelled massive air attacks more than half a thousand times. We are ready to share our experience.”
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister emphasized that Moscow is acting deliberately, trying to impose the “law of the jungle” where “force determines the law.”
What Russia’s representative to the UN said
In its traditional dismissive manner, the Russian side tried to deny Tallinn’s accusations.
First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky denied the accusations made by Tallinn.
“Our neighbors have now imagined that the Russian Federation was responsible for the violation of Estonian airspace. As usual, there is no evidence,” he said.
Massive attacks on Ukraine
In parallel, the issue of the intensity of attacks on Ukraine was discussed. In the last week alone, Moscow has launched
- more than 1500 drones,
- 1280 guided aerial bombs,
- about 50 missiles of various types.
The strikes have killed at least three civilians, injured dozens, and damaged residential buildings and civilian infrastructure.
Stark warnings from allies
At the meeting, representatives of key NATO countries made strong statements.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said:
“If another missile or plane enters our space without permission and is shot down and the wreckage falls on NATO territory, don’t come complaining. You have been warned”.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasizes that British forces are ready to shoot down aircraft that enter NATO airspace without permission.
Newly appointed US Ambassador to the UN Michael Volz emphasized:
“The United States and its allies will defend every inch of NATO territory.”
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tähkna reads out a joint statement at the UN Security Council by more than 50 countries condemning the intrusion of three Russian MiG-31 fighters into Estonian airspace on September 19.
The statement was supported by Ukraine, the United States, the EU, Japan, Turkey, Canada and other countries.
“This is part of a broader pattern of Russian provocations against its neighbors, while the permanent member of the Security Council continues its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s reckless actions are not only a violation of international law, but also a destabilizing escalation that brings the entire region closer to conflict than at any time in recent years. Such a provocation is deeply disrespectful to the collective and ongoing efforts of the international community to end the Russian-Ukrainian war and restore peace and stability in accordance with international law,” Tsakhkna was quoted as saying in the statement.
He called on Russia to immediately end the war against Ukraine and comply with its obligations under the UN Charter, as well as to stop all provocations against the sovereignty of its neighbors.
“We call on Russia to stop all provocations and threats to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbors. The international community must firmly demand respect for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and peaceful settlement of disputes. We must always condemn such outrageous actions by any UN member, let alone a permanent member of the Security Council, which has a special responsibility for the protection of international peace and security,” the Estonian Foreign Minister concluded.
What’s next
European allies have confirmed their readiness to respond decisively to any new provocations by Moscow. Analysts believe that the situation on NATO’s borders and the massive attacks on Ukraine are part of a long-term hybrid war that Russia is waging against the West.
