New York (Parliament Politics Magazine) – UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper says Russia’s actions risk a direct NATO clash, pledging UK jets will confront any airspace violations to protect allies.
As reported by The Independent, addressing the UN, Yvette Cooper said British jets will act against Russian planes violating NATO airspace, accusing Moscow of risking armed conflict.
Yvette Cooper’s views on Russian incursions into NATO airspace
In her first UN Security Council address following Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s cabinet reshuffle, Yvette Cooper condemned recent Russian incursions into NATO airspace.
She said, “
They are a deliberate attempt to undermine the territorial integrity of sovereign nations and European security.”
Ms Cooper stated,
“They risk miscalculation. They open the door to direct armed confrontation between NATO and Russia.”
Speaking at the UN on Monday, she warned Russia that
“Your reckless actions risk direct armed confrontation between NATO and Russia. Our alliance is defensive, but be under no illusion, we stand ready to take all steps necessary to defend NATO’s skies and NATO’s territory.”
Ms Cooper added,
“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.”
What happened during recent Russian incursions into NATO airspace?
Three Russian aircraft breached Estonian airspace for 12 minutes on September 19 before being intercepted by Italian jets as part of NATO’s Eastern Sentry mission.
The airspace violation comes after similar incidents in Poland and Romania, where Russian drones were intercepted or shot down over NATO-controlled airspace.
Donald Tusk, Poland’s Prime Minister, said his nation faces its nearest risk of open conflict since WWII. Meanwhile, the EU’s foreign policy chief cautioned that Russia is challenging Western unity.
Following the breach over Poland, Britain confirmed RAF Typhoon jets would join NATO’s Eastern Sentry, conducting their initial mission over the country on September 19.
What did Antonio Costa say about global conflicts at the UN?
Antonio Costa, president of the European Commission, said leaders gathered Monday with “heavy hearts” amid conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, and Gaza.
He posted on X,
“Now more than ever, we need to reaffirm the UN’s core principles, and its vision of a global peace built through cooperation, as we work for the implementation of the Pact for the Future and push for reforms to make the UN more efficient and fitted to serve the needs of the people.”
Red Cross chief’s stance on violations of war rules
Mirjana Spoljaric, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross, has warned that international humanitarian law is being violated in conflicts worldwide, including the war in Ukraine.
According to her, every state has a “moral and legal duty” to ensure the rules of war are respected.
She said,
“In the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, thousands of families are without any news of their missing relatives, while drone warfare is killing and injuring civilians hundreds of kilometres from the front lines.”
Ms Spoljaric stated,
“The rules of war are one of our most powerful tools in the fight for human life, safety, dignity and ultimately peace. Failure to respect those rules betrays the foundations of humanity they were designed to protect.”
She said,
“By upholding IHL, states protect their own people. Violating or letting others violate them fuels instability,”
adding,
“Every state has a moral and legal responsibility to reverse the erosion of those rules worldwide. The fate of millions living through war today and tomorrow will be defined by the choices leaders make to preserve—or abandon—humanity in war.”
French officials’ views on Russia’s airspace violations
The French representative told the UN Security Council,
“This is an intentional violation. This is the third time in 10 days that Russia has violated the airspace of the EU and NATO.”
They added,
“This latest incursion leaves no room for doubt – Russia is choosing escalation and provocation.”
Key facts about the Ukraine-Russia war
The conflict began with Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and escalated into a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. Since then, the UN reports at least 13,883 civilians killed and over 35,500 injured, though the actual toll is likely higher.
Military deaths are difficult to verify, with estimates in the hundreds of thousands. Overall, total casualties, including killed and wounded, may reach one million.