Tensions across Europe have hit boiling point after three Russian fighter jets violated NATO airspace, sparking fears that the Ukraine conflict is edging dangerously close to erupting into World War III.
President Donald Trump has now issued a terrifying warning to Vladimir Putin as he told reporters yesterday (September 19) that the infringement could spell 'big trouble'.
Estonia’s Foreign Ministry revealed yesterday that three Russian MIG-31s entered its airspace without permission, lingering over the Baltic nation for a nerve-wracking 12 minutes.
The aircraft had no flight plans, no active transponders, and were completely silent on radio - a military move experts say is as deliberate as it is dangerous.
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Estonia wasted no time, summoning a Russian diplomat and issuing a formal protest... and what's even more worrying is that it’s not the first time either.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said this marks the fourth airspace breach by Russia this year, but made it clear that this one was different.
He commented: "But today’s incursion, involving three fighter aircraft entering our airspace, is unprecedentedly brazen.”
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Estonia's Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur took it a step further, announcing on Twitter that his government had decided 'to start consultations among the allies' under NATO’s Article 4, following what he called yet 'another violation' of their sovereignty.
For those not up to speed on Article 4... I mean, why would you be?
It's basically the moment where NATO members say, 'Okay, this might be serious'. The clause kicks in when a member feels its territory is under threat, and calls for urgent talks among allies.
According to NATO spokesperson Allison Hart, the North Atlantic Council is already set to meet early next week to discuss the escalation.
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Now, the 79-year-old POTUS has weighed in to the terrifying breach, although with an ominous tone.
"I don’t love it. I don’t like when that happens. It could be big trouble, but I’ll let you know later," he told reporters.
The violation came just a week after Russian drones were shot down over Poland - which was already considered one of the most serious cross-border incidents since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
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Just on Friday, Trump spoke with Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum, claiming the relationship between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is beyond repair, blaming their deep personal animosity for the prolonged violence.
"The relationship between President Putin and President Zelenskyy is a horrible one. A lot to do with relationships and they truly dislike each other - I want to use that word rather than a stronger word but they really do, they hate each other."
Topics: Donald Trump, Russia, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, World News
Joe Yates