Following a recent airspace violation by Russia, Manfred Weber, Chairman of the European People’s Party (EPP) and leader of the CSU, has called for a significant strengthening of European air defense capabilities. Weber stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not simply provoking, but actively testing Europe’s defense readiness. He emphasized the urgent need for a robust European air defense system as a response to such incidents.
The latest incident occurred on Friday when three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace, according to the Estonian government. The aircraft were reportedly in Estonian territory for twelve minutes without authorization. This follows an event just over a week prior, when over twenty Russian drones intruded into Polish airspace, prompting NATO jets to intercept and shoot down several of them. The repeated airspace incursions are raising concerns about the security posture within the region and are fueling calls for enhanced defensive measures.