Yvette Cooper condemned recent Russian incursions into NATO airspace as she addressed the UN Security Council for the first time as Foreign Secretary.
She said: “They are a deliberate attempt to undermine the territorial integrity of sovereign nations and European security.”
“They risk miscalculation. They open the door to direct armed confrontation between NATO and Russia,” she added.
On September 19, three Russian jets entered Estonian airspace without permission, remaining there for 12 minutes and being intercepted by Italian aircraft operating as part of NATO’s Eastern Sentry mission.
The incursion followed similar incidents in Poland and Romania in which Russian drones were intercepted or shot down over NATO territory.
Speaking at the UN on Monday, Cooper stated: “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.
“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.”
