Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, has condemned recent Russian airspace violations, insisting that “every country has the right to defend itself.” She also cautioned Iran that time is running out to meet EU demands and stop a return of UN sanctions under the snapback mechanism.
Russia’s airspace incursions: growing alarm in Europe
Recent events have escalated tensions between Moscow and the EU/NATO. On September 19, three Russian MiG-31 jets violated Estonian airspace near Vaindloo Island for about 12 minutes. They flew without flight plans or active transponders, and were unresponsive to air-traffic control before being intercepted by Italian F-35s under NATO’s air policing mission.
Estonia has labeled this the fourth violation of its airspace by Russia this year. NATO and EU leaders, including Kaja Kallas, condemned what they called a “brazen provocation” and are calling for stronger deterrence, increased monitoring, and stricter consequences.
Kallas has been clear: if foreign aircraft breach a country’s airspace, that country has the right to respond, to defend its borders, sovereignty, and security. EU leaders are pushing for solidarity among member states, especially along the Eastern flank, and strengthening of defence capabilities.
Iran’s snapback sanctions: a diplomatic countdown
Parallel to Europe’s tensions with Russia is a growing diplomatic pressure on Iran. European officials say Iran has not yet taken all the necessary steps to prevent the return of UN sanctions tied to its nuclear programme. These include full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), reopening inspections at all nuclear sites, and transparent accounting of enriched uranium stockpiles.
Kaja Kallas warned that the “window for finding a diplomatic solution is closing really fast.” The European powers (France, Germany, UK), alongside the EU, have made clear that unless concrete actions are taken by Iran, the snapback mechanism, built into the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) will trigger automatic reinstatement of sanctions at the end of September.
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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has criticised the European Union (EU) for its inability to achieve deeper unity, describing the bloc’s shortcomings as a historic misfortune for Türkiye.
Israeli air strikes in Gaza and Lebanon have raised fresh concerns about the durability of ceasefire agreements, after deadly attacks were reported in both territories.
Russia launched multiple missile strikes on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second‑largest city, on Monday, 5 January, targeting energy infrastructure and causing “very serious damage,” local authorities said. The attacks occurred as world leaders prepare for a Ukraine peace summit in Paris this week.
Israeli media report that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chaired a lengthy security meeting that reportedly focused on the country’s regional threats, including Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to abandon comments suggesting the United States should take over Greenland, calling the idea baseless and unacceptable.
Germany’s foreign intelligence service secretly monitored the telephone communications of former U.S. President Barack Obama for several years, including calls made aboard Air Force One, according to an investigation by the German newspaper Die Zeit.
Flights across Greece were halted for hours on Sunday after a collapse of radio frequencies crippled air traffic communication, stranding thousands of travellers during one of the busiest holiday weekends.
At the end of last year, U.S. President Donald Trump was reported to have raised the Azerbaijan–Armenia peace agenda during a conversation with Israel’s prime minister, warning that if peace were not achieved, Washington could raise tariffs on both countries by 100 percent.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has criticised the European Union (EU) for its inability to achieve deeper unity, describing the bloc’s shortcomings as a historic misfortune for Türkiye.
President Donald Trump has denied reports that Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was sidelined because of her Nobel Peace Prize win, insisting the award played no role in his decision-making.
Russia launched multiple missile strikes on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second‑largest city, on Monday, 5 January, targeting energy infrastructure and causing “very serious damage,” local authorities said. The attacks occurred as world leaders prepare for a Ukraine peace summit in Paris this week.
Appearing in a Manhattan courtroom after a U.S. military operation, Nicolás Maduro has denied narcotics and terrorism charges, as his vice president was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim leader in Caracas.
Gunfire and explosions were reported near the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas on Monday evening (5 January).
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