NATO on the verge of activating Article 5; A warning has been sent to Russia

According to a statement issued after the meeting, NATO strongly condemned the violation of Estonian airspace that occurred on Friday.

According to a NATO statement, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace and remained there for more than ten minutes, which is why the allied aircrafts quickly took off and escorted them over the territory of Estonia.

In a statement, NATO assessed this incident as part of a wider pattern of "increasingly irresponsible" Russian behavior and said that Moscow bears full responsibility because such actions increase the risk of misjudgment and endanger lives.

The alliance emphasized that it will continue with activities to strengthen the defense structure on the eastern wing, including the previously launched "Eastern Guard" activity.

"Russia must not have any doubts, we will use all military means"

In its statement, NATO explicitly told Russia that there must be no doubt about the allies' determination.

"Russia must have no doubts: NATO and its allies will, in accordance with international law, use all necessary military and non-military means to defend themselves and repel all threats from all directions. We will continue to respond in the manner, time and domain that we choose. Our commitment to Article 5 is unwavering," reads the NATO statement.

The meeting of the North Atlantic Council this week, for the second time in two weeks, was held to convene a consultation by activating Article 4.

It was the first time this happened after a major violation of Polish airspace by drones earlier this month.

NATO states that in addition to Poland and Estonia, violations have recently been recorded in Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Romania, which, according to the allies, indicates a pattern of provocative and risky actions.

The alliance announced that it will strengthen deterrence and defense capabilities, including effective anti-aircraft measures, and that it will use all available military and non-military instruments in accordance with international law to protect the territorial integrity of its members.