UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has issued a stark warning to Russia, stating that its fighter jet incursions into NATO airspace risk a direct armed confrontation. Speaking at the United Nations, Cooper condemned Russia's 'reckless' violations of Polish, Romanian, and Estonian airspace, calling them a deliberate attempt to undermine the territorial integrity of sovereign nations and European security.
Cooper emphasised NATO's readiness to defend its skies, saying: 'To President Putin, I say your reckless actions risk a direct armed confrontation between NATO and Russia. We stand ready to take all steps necessary to defend NATO skies and NATO’s territory. We are vigilant. We are resolute, and if we need to confront planes that are operating in NATO airspace without permission, then we will do so.'
The Foreign Secretary described Russia's actions as 'imperialist warmongering' and a threat to international peace and security. She urged the international community to counter Russia's behaviour, which she said undermines the values and principles of the UN.
In related developments, Moldovan authorities announced on Monday that they had carried out 250 raids and detained 74 people as part of an investigation into an alleged Russia-backed plot to incite mass riots and destabilise the country ahead of a critical parliamentary election. Police said the unrest plan was 'coordinated from the Russian Federation, through criminal elements'.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump is set to hold high-stakes meetings at the UN this week, including talks with Secretary-General António Guterres and leaders from Ukraine, Argentina, and the EU. Trump will also convene a multilateral summit with leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, the UAE, and Jordan.
