NATO ambassadors are set to convene on Tuesday to discuss the violation of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets. This development comes after Estonia invoked Article Four of the alliance’s founding treaty, which allows any member to call for emergency discussions when its territorial integrity, political independence, or security is at risk.

The incident in question occurred on Friday, when three Russian MiG-31 fighters breached Estonian airspace for approximately 12 minutes. In response, NATO scrambled its own jets, and Estonia promptly requested urgent consultations with its allies. This move follows a similar action by Poland less than two weeks prior, after the country reported an incursion by a wave of Russian drones.

Article Four of NATO’s founding treaty has been invoked eight times previously in the alliance’s 74-year history, with two of those instances occurring since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The article is distinct from Article Five, which stipulates that an attack on one member state is considered an attack on the entire alliance. Article Five has only been invoked once, in response to the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.

Following Poland’s invocation of Article Four, NATO announced plans to bolster its defenses along its eastern flank. Similarly, Estonia has stated that the United Nations Security Council will convene a meeting on Monday to address the Russian jet intrusion. The upcoming talks among NATO ambassadors will mark the third time Article Four has been invoked since the start of the Ukraine conflict.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions between NATO member states and Russia, particularly in the context of the Ukraine conflict. As NATO continues to navigate these challenges, its commitment to collective security remains a key aspect of its operations. The alliance’s response to the Estonian airspace violation will be closely watched, as it seeks to balance deterrence with diplomacy in the region.

The meeting of NATO ambassadors on Tuesday is expected to focus on the specifics of the airspace violation and the alliance’s response to the incident. With the UN Security Council also set to convene on the matter, the international community will be closely monitoring developments in the region. As the situation continues to unfold, NATO’s actions will be guided by its commitment to the security and stability of its member states.