Foreign Minister Tsahkna at the UN Security Council: Russia not only violated Estonian airspace, but also blatantly lied about it
Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
22.09.2025 | 19:45
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said today, 22 September, at the UN Security Council meeting in New York convened in response to the violation of Estonia's airspace, that Russia not only violated Estonian airspace but also blatantly lied about it, once again revealing its true nature. The foreign minister called on the international community to exert strong pressure on Russia to end its aggression against Ukraine and its threats to peace and security. According to the foreign minister, there was broad support for Estonia in New York today, with 50 countries and the European Union joining Estonia's statement.
"On 19 September, three armed Russian MiG-31 fighter jets deliberately entered Estonian airspace. Although this was already the fourth violation of Estonian airspace by Russia this year, this time the violation took place deeper in our territory, lasted longer, took place simultaneously with three armed aircraft and only a few flight minutes away from our capital Tallinn. They remained in our skies for 12 minutes, penetrating up to 10 kilometres deep and covering nearly 100 kilometres inside our sovereign territory. Regardless of what Russia claims, these are harsh facts based on solid evidence," Foreign Minister Tsahkna said, presenting evidence of this at the UN Security Council meeting.
According to the foreign minister, Russia - a permanent member of the UN Security Council - thereby blatantly and recklessly violated Estonia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the UN Charter and international law.
"We are here today at the UN Security Council because the violation of Estonia's airspace concerns not only Estonia, but the entire international community. This is part of a broader pattern of Russian actions, which includes its war of aggression against Ukraine now in its fourth year, and the violation of the borders of NATO member states," Tsahkna said, referring to Russian drones that recently entered Polish and Romanian airspace, in addition to the violation of Estonia's air border.
"Russia's dangerous conduct cannot and must not be tolerated, as it would not only seriously undermine the UN Charter and international law, but would also set an extremely dangerous precedent, encouraging further aggression, increasing regional and global tensions and ultimately jeopardising peace and security around the world," Tsahkna stressed.
"I call once again on the Russian Federation to put an immediate end to its war of aggression against sovereign Ukraine, to honour its obligations under the UN Charter and to cease all provocations and threats against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbours," the foreign minister said.
"The international community must unequivocally condemn Russia's actions that threaten peace and security. But words alone are not enough. Together, we must apply maximum pressure on Russia to bring about a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, and to force Russia to abandon its neo-colonial and imperial ambitions. Together, we can hold Russia accountable for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, for the war crimes and crimes against humanity it has committed since 2014, and for the persistent violations of international treaties and agreements that it has pledged to uphold. Impunity, leniency and further concessions would only embolden Putin and lead to new crimes. We can only succeed if we act decisively and jointly in defending the UN Charter and international law," Tsahkna said.
The meeting of the Security Council is available for watching.
The statement of Estonia and the supporting countries made before the meeting of the Security Council by the foreign minister is available for watching and the statement can be read on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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