DONALD Trump has told Nato countries to “shoot down” Russian aircraft if they breach allied airspace – but stopped short of promising automatic US support if Moscow strikes back.
Speaking at a press conference, the President said Nato members “shouldn’t hesitate” to act against Russian incursions.
GettyPresident Donald Trump speaks during a bilateral meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky[/caption]
GettyThe pair met at the 80th session of the UN’s General Assembly in New York[/caption]
One of the Russian mig-31 fighter jets that flew into Estonian airspaceReuters
APRussia denies the violation, but Estonia’s defence ministry cites radar and visual evidence[/caption]
But when asked if Washington would back them militarily, he was non-committal.
“That depends on the circumstance,” Trump said.
Trump also said on Tuesday he plans to call Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to urge him to stop purchasing Russian oil, part of a broader push to pressure Nato allies to cut energy ties with Moscow.
“He’s a friend of mine. I have not spoken to him, but I have a feeling if I did, he might stop, and I think I’ll be doing that,” Trump said ahead of his bilateral meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.
His comments come after a dramatic incursion on Friday when Vladimir Putin’s MiG-31 fighters brazenly tore into Estonian skies for 12 minutes, brushing off warnings from Italian F-35s scrambled from Amari Air Base.
Colonel Ants Kiviselg, Estonia’s military intel chief, said: “Russia acknowledged communication from Italian pilots flying F-35 fighter jets, but they apparently ignored it and didn’t actually follow the signs.
“Why they didn’t do it, that’s a question for the Russian pilots.”
Tallinn branded the flyover “unprecedentedly brazen” — the fourth violation this year — and demanded urgent Nato talks.
PM Kristen Michal fumed: “Such a violation is completely unacceptable.
“Nato’s response to any provocation must be united and strong.”
Foreign minister Margus Tsahkna called it “a very serious violation of Nato airspace,” the worst since 2003, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas blasted it as an “extremely dangerous provocation.”
Trump had warned of “big trouble” if the brazen stunts continue.
“I don’t love it. I don’t like it when that happens. It could be big trouble,” he said.
The flashpoint adds to Europe’s growing security nightmare.
Poland scrambled jets as Nato radar systems went on high alert, while Czech president Petr Pavel cautioned: “This is teetering on the edge of conflict, but giving in to evil is simply not an option.”
President Zelensky branded the Estonian breach “outrageous” and warned: “It requires a systemic response.
“Strong action must be taken – both collectively and individually by each nation.”
Putin piled on the pressure the same night with an 11-hour missile and drone blitz across Ukraine.
A Russian MIG-31 fighter jet flying above the Baltic sea
Kyiv said Russia launched 580 drones and 40 missiles, with most intercepted, but at least three civilians killed and dozens wounded.
“Every such strike is not a military necessity but a deliberate strategy by Russia to terrorise civilians,” Zelensky said.
And the chaos spread north.
Mystery “large drones” forced Copenhagen and Oslo airports to shut for hours on Monday, grounding dozens of flights.
Danish police spotted at least three drones circling dangerously close to fuel depots and packed runways.
Experts say it fits a wider Kremlin playbook of hybrid warfare.
Col Simon Diggins told The Sun: “Whether it be cyber attacks or flying drones over an airport, it creates an atmosphere of distrust, subversion, and sabotage very quickly. Russia is testing our defences.”
Airports from London to Berlin have already been hammered by ransomware attacks in recent days, knocking out check-in systems and forcing staff back to pen and paper.
Security analyst Anthony Glees said: “Without doubt, the Russians are behind these attacks… they have been able to demonstrate they can attack our cyberspace with impunity and at will.”
Estonian officials stressed Friday’s incursion did not trigger Nato’s Article 5 collective defence clause, but warned the Kremlin’s aim is clear — to rattle the West and divert focus from Ukraine.
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Footage showed a drone flying close to the Copenhagen airport
ReutersPolice officers stand guard after all traffic was closed at Copenhagen airport[/caption]