Nato allies and Russia clash at UN over airspace intrusions

Nato allies accused Russia at the United Nations on Monday of violating the alliance's air space in Estonia and Poland - actions that Britain said risked triggering an armed conflict.

Confronting Russia at a meeting of the UN Security Council, UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said: "Your reckless actions risk direct armed confrontation between Nato and Russia. Our alliance is defensive but be under no illusion we stand ready to defend Nato's skies and Nato's territory." "If we need to confront planes operating in Nato space, then we will do so," she said.

Estonia said on Friday that three Russian fighter jets had entered Estonian airspace without permission and stayed for a total of 12 minutes before they were forced to withdraw. The Security Council convened on Monday to discuss the issue. Nato consultations were due to take place on Tuesday.

Russia's deputy ambassador to the UN, Dmytry Polyanskiy, said there was no evidence backing their claims and accused Europe of levying baseless accusations. "We won't be partaking in this theater of the absurd," he said. "When you decide you want to engage in a serious discussion about European security, we'll be ready."

(This is a Reuters story)