US Ambassador Waltz Vows Defend Every Inch NATO Territory Amid Russian Airspace Incursion

New U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz declared that the United States and its NATO allies will defend "every inch" of NATO territory following recent Russian violations of Estonian airspace. This statement came after Russian MiG-31 jets, reportedly armed, entered Estonian airspace for 12 minutes, marking a significant incursion close to Estonia’s Parliament building and raising concerns about Moscow testing NATO's resolve. Estonia and its partners have condemned these actions, while Russia denies responsibility. Despite Waltz’s prior stance as a national security advisor that Ukraine would not join NATO to avoid U.S. troop involvement, his recent UN remarks emphasize a strong U.S. commitment to NATO defense. The incidents highlight rising tensions at the UN Security Council, where Russia remains a permanent member, complicating diplomatic responses. President Trump has downplayed the drone and jet incursions, describing the drone activity as possibly inadvertent and expressing general disapproval without calling for escalation.