Summary
Nato intercepted three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets that violated Estonia’s airspace over the Baltic Sea in a 12-minute incursion, with European leaders condemning it as proof of Moscow’s “reckless” behaviour. Tensions have been rising on Nato’s eastern border since Russian drones overflew Polish territory last week. Estonia’s foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, said: “Russia has already violated Estonia’s airspace four times this year, which in itself is unacceptable. But today’s incursion … is unprecedentedly brazen.” He added: “Russia’s increasingly extensive testing of boundaries and growing aggressiveness must be met with a swift increase in political and economic pressure.”
Estonia’s defence forces said the MiG-31s were intercepted on Friday morning by Italian F-35 fighter jets based in Ämari in Estonia as part of the transatlantic defence alliance’s air policing mission over the Baltic Sea. The Russian fighters entered Estonian airspace near Vaindloo island in the Gulf of Finland, did not have flight plans, had turned their transponders off and were not communicating with air traffic control, the Estonian military said.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia’s actions as “outrageous” as he urged allies to take “strong action” against Moscow. “These are not accidents,” he warned in a social media post, referring to a long list of Russian violations of European airspace of Poland, Romania and Estonia, and alleged interference in electoral processes in Romania and Moldova. “It requires a systemic response,” he said. “Strong action must be taken – both collectively and individually by each nation.”
The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, a former Estonian prime minister, accused Moscow of an “extremely dangerous provocation” and said the latest Russian violation of Nato’s eastern borders “further escalates tensions in the region”.
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said Europe “stands with Estonia” and would “respond to every provocation with determination”. “As threats escalate, so will our pressure,” she said, calling on the EU’s 27 member states to swiftly approve the bloc’s 19th package of sanctions against Moscow.
Nato spokesperson Allison Hart said that the North Atlantic Council will convene early next week to discuss the incident in more detail, after Estonia requested Nato open consultations under Article 4 of the alliance’s treaty. Article 4 states that members will consult whenever the territory, political independence or security of any is threatened.
EU leaders will discuss their “collective response” to Russia’s violations of European airspace at a meeting in Copenhagen on 1 October, said the European Council president, António Costa. “Today’s violation of Estonian airspace by three Russian military aircraft is another unacceptable provocation,” he wrote on X.
Updated
Major Taavi Karotamm, spokesperson for the Estonian Defense Forces, told The Associated Press the Russian planes flew parallel to the Estonian border from east to west and did not head toward the capital, Tallinn.
Karotamm said the reason for the border violation is unknown, but added that it may have been to “shift the focus of Nato and its members on to defending itself, rather than bolstering Ukrainian defense”.
What is Nato’s Article 4 and when is it used?
Article 4 of its treaty states that any member country can formally bring an issue on concern to the attention of Nato’s principal decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council, to meet and discuss next steps with allies, if they believe their territorial integrity, political independence, or security is threatened.
It should not be confused with Article 5, which is the collective commitment at the core of the transatlantic defense alliance that an attack on one is an attack on all (that has only been invoked once – by the US after 9/11).
But while Article 4 doesn’t mandate military action, the consultation process can lead to joint decisions or actions by the alliance.
Article 4 has been triggered seven other times since Nato was formed in 1949. It was most recently triggered by Poland after the country reported 19 violations of its airspace by Russian drones last week, which Polish officials called a “Russian provocation.”.
Poland, along with Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Slovakia, also requested to hold consultations in the immediate aftermath of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Poland had also previously invoked Article 4 in March 2014 regarding Russia’s actions during its illegal annexation of the Crimea.
All of the other rare invocations of Article 4 were by Turkey, which asked on multiple occasions for consultations related to threats coming from Iraq and Syria. Turkey last triggered Article 4 in July 2015, following terrorist attacks in the country.
Updated
Estonia summoned the Russian charge d’affaires, a diplomat who temporarily takes the place of an ambassador, and gave them a protest note over the incident, the foreign ministry has told the Associated Press.
Along with radio silence as yet from the White House, Moscow has yet to comment on the incident.
But Reuters has asked Russia’s UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, in New York about it. He said he wasn’t aware of the incident, but added:
I do not trust what Estonia is saying about Russia.
When told about the accusation by Estonia that Russia had flown jets into its airspace, Nebenzia said:
How tragic.
Updated
Nato to convene North Atlantic Council next week to discuss Russian violation of Estonian airspace
Following Russia’s violation of Estonia airspace on Friday, Nato spokesperson Allison Hart said that the North Atlantic Council will convene early next week to discuss the incident in more detail.
Estonia earlier formally requested consultations under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty. The procedure says that:
“The Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened.”
It was last triggered by Poland earlier this month after Russian drones incursion into its airspace, and previously by a group of countries in 2022 after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
As Jakub noted earlier, it’s a clear sign that Estonia sees the incident as a direct threat to its security, and of growing regional concerns about Russia’s increasingly aggressive posture and provocations.
Updated
The defence minister of neighbouring Latvia, Andris Sprūds, has also condemned Russia’s incursion, which he said underscored the need to strengthen the defence of the eastern flank.
“Airspace protection in the Baltics must be further reinforced through NATO’s air defence mission,” Sprūds said on X.
Updated
As European leaders clamour to condemn Russia’s latest violation of a Nato member’s airspace, Donald Trump’s White House is being closely watched for a response.
Washington had had little to say about last week’s drone incursion into Poland and didn’t participate directly in fending it off, fuelling a deepening anxiety among Nato members, who are increasingly questioning the US president’s commitment to their defense in the event of a Russian attack.
In response to Reuters’ requests for comment, the US state department has referred queries to the White House, which has not yet responded. We’ll let you know if and when that changes.
But for now, a US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, has told Reuters: “It’s tough to see how this wasn’t intentional.” While incursions over Vaindloo Island by Russian aircraft are fairly common, they do not usually last as long as Friday’s incident.
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France says Russian warplane incursions into Estonian airspace are blatant violation of international law
France, which has a battalion, including fighter jets, based in Estonia, Reuters notes, has called Russian warplane incursions into the Baltic states a blatant violation of international law.
“This incursion into Estonia is unprecedented for more than 20 years,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
The violation by Russian military jets of Nato member Estonia’s airspace was the latest dangerous activity by Russia in recent days, Britain’s defence minister John Healey has said.
“Russia’s latest reckless and dangerous activity is the third violation of NATO airspace in recent days,” Healey wrote on X. “But Putin’s aggression only serves to strengthen the unity of NATO and our resolve to stand with Ukraine.”
His comments echo those made earlier by foreign secretary Yvette Cooper, who also expressed the country’s solidarity with Estonia condemning “another reckless incursion into Nato airspace by Russia.”
Updated
That’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, as I hand the blog over to Lucy Campbell for more reactions and comments on the Russian violation of Nato airspace in Estonia (16:13, 16:43, 16:58, 17:16, 17:35), which prompted Tallin to request Article 4 consultations within Nato (19:40, 19:44).
Separately, Poland (19:06) and Germany (20:17) also reported security incidents involving Russian aircraft near Nato airspace.
Updated
Earlier today, the German delegation to Nato flagged up yet another incident, as it said its Eurofighter jet scrambled from the Laage military base to respond to a Russian Il-20 military aircraft flying “close to Nato airspace without a flight plan or transponder signal.”
Ukraine's Zelenskyy condemns 'outrageous' violation of Estonian airspace, calls for 'strong action' against Russia
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the Russian violation of Nato airspace in Estonia as “outrageous,” urging allies to take a “strong action” against Moscow.
“These are not accidents,” he warned in a social media post, referring to a long list of Russian violations of European airspace of Poland, Romania and Estonia and alleged interference in electoral processes in Romania and Moldova.
He said:
“It requires a systemic response. Strong action must be taken – both collectively and individually by each nation.
Russia must feel increasing pain from the world’s pressure, first and foremost through its economy, and that is best ensured by sanctions. At the same time, Russia’s war losses must continue to rise, which is best achieved by a strong Ukrainian army.
I thank everyone who helps. Europe, the United States, the Group of Seven – strong action is required from all.”
'Russia escalated, we do nothing... starting to see pattern there,' former Lithuanian minister says
Former Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, a longstanding critic of statements of concerns coming from EU capitals, offered his somewhat sarcastic response to the Estonian incident, saying:
“Russia escalates, we do nothing, Russia escalates more, we do nothing, Russia escalates even more, we do nothing... guys, I think I am starting to see a pattern here.”
Nato says Russian violation 'not type of behaviour one would expect from professional air force' as confirms details of response
Nato’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Command Operations, or SHAPE, in Belgium has offered a bit more on the Estonian incident.
It confirmed that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonia’s airspace, noting with a bit of understatement that “this is not the type of behaviour one would expect from a professional air force.”
“Nato quickly responded under Eastern Sentry, scrambling Italian F-35 fighter jets based in Estonia,” it said, adding that Sweden and Finland also scrambled their quick reaction aircraft.
It added:
“Nato’s Allied Air Command maintained a consolidated air picture and close coordination with Allies throughout the response.
“As we have stated previously, Eastern Sentry integrates air and ground-based defences and better connects existing activities like air policing into a more coherent defensive posture. That was on display today.”
Nato's response was 'quick and decisive,' secretary general Rutte says after call with Estonian PM
Nato’s s secretary general Mark Rutte has just posted a social media update confirming he had a chat with the Estonian prime minister about the Russian violation of the Estonian airspace earlier today.
“Nato’s response under Eastern Sentry was quick and decisive,” he says.
UK condemns 'another reckless incursion into Nato airspace by Russia'
Meanwhile, UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper also expressed the country’s solidarity with Estonia condemning “another reckless incursion into Nato airspace by Russia.”
“We must continue to increase pressure on Putin, including driving forward the important new economic sanctions announced by the UK & EU in recent days,” she said.
Estonia requests Nato Article 4 consultations — snap analysis
This is the ninth time the Nato Article 4 procedure is getting triggered in the alliance’s history since 1949 – and the second in just over a week.
The procedure says that:
“The Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened.”
It was last triggered by Poland earlier this month after Russian drones incursion into its airspace, and previously by a group of countries in 2022 after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
It’s a clear sign that Estonia sees the incident as a direct threat to its security, and of growing regional concerns about Russia’s increasingly aggressive posture and provocations.
Updated
Estonia requests Nato Article 4 consultation over Russian fighter jets incident
Estonia has formally requested a Nato Article 4 consultation over the Russian violation of its airspace earlier today, the country’s prime minister Kristen Michal said.
In a post on X, he confirmed that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace, and were confronted by Nato fighters, before they were “forced to flee.”
“Such violation is totally unacceptable,” Michal said.
Updated
Nato's border 'tested for reason,' Lithuanian defence minister warns, references 2015 Turkish decision to shot Russian jet down
Lithuanian defence minister Dovilė Šakalienė is the latest European minister to respond to the incident over Estonia, saying it “is one more hard proof that #EasternSentry is long due.”
“Nato’s border in the North East is being tested for a reason. We need to mean business,” she said.
Curiously, she also referenced the 2015 incident in which the Turkish air force shot down a Russian jet after Ankara said it had violated the Turkish airspace.
“PS. Türkiye set an example 10 years ago. Some food for thought,” she said.
Poland says Russian jets performed low pass over Petrobaltic platform in Baltic Sea, violating safety zone
We are now getting a new line from Poland with the country’s Border Force reporting that two Russian fighter jets violated the safety zone of the Petrobaltic oil and gas exploration platform in the Baltic Sea by performing a low pass over the platform.
“The Polish Armed Forces and other authorities have been notified,” the force said.
'Vigilance is price of freedom,' German FM says as he condemn Russian incursion into Estonia
In his reaction, the German foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, went for a famous quote, often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, that “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”
‘This principle of Nato has lost none of its relevance. The unacceptable violation of Estonian airspace by Russia today demonstrates this with utmost clarity,” he said on X.
He added:
“I have assured my colleague @Tsahkna of Germany’s full solidarity. By immediately intercepting the Russian aircraft, we demonstrate: The @Nato is always ready to defend.”
Russian incursion into Estonian airspace 'direct threat to transatlantic security,' Ukrainian foreign minister says
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha also struck a similar tone, saying in his statement that “today’s incursion of three Russian fighter jets into Estonian airspace is another Russian escalation and a direct threat to transatlantic security.”
He added:
“Ukraine stands with Estonia in the face of Russia’s reckless intimidation. I agree with my Estonian friend @Tsahkna that half-measures are no longer enough.
Russia must face crushing political and economic pressure. As long as it doesn’t get a really strong response, Moscow will only get more arrogant and aggressive.
It’s time to put an end to Putin’s sense of impunity.”
Estonian incident shows 'seriousness of Russian threat,' Swedish PM says
Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson said the Russian incursion into Estonian airspace showed “the seriousness of the Russian threat to European security,” also warning that Nato’s readiness is “constantly being tested.”
He said:
“Highly concerning reports of Russian violation of Estonian airspace. This incident, like other recent Russian violations of Nato countries’ airspace, once again illustrates the seriousness of the Russian threat to European security and the fact that our and Nato’s readiness is constantly being tested.
The Swedish Air Force maintains a standing quick reaction alert to handle incidents such as this. As a Nato member, Sweden stands in solidarity with our allies and contributes to security in our region.”
Russia is 'escalating tensions ... and testing how far it can go,' Czech PM warns
Czech prime minister Petr Fiala also warned that “Russia is further escalating tensions on Nato’s eastern border and testing how far it can go.”
“The violation of Estonian airspace demonstrates the aggression of Putin’s regime,” he said, urging the alliance to “resolutely strengthen our defence capabilities.”
Russia 'directly threatens Euroatlantic security,' Lithuania's foreign minister says
Lithuanian foreign minister Kęstutis Budrys warned that Russia’s increasingly aggressive behaviour shows that Nato “is being tested militarily,” as he accused Moscow of “directly threatening Euroatlantic security.”
In a statement, he said:
“Russia directly threatens Euroatlantic security and tests Nato’s limits.
Today, 3 Russian fighter jets violated Estonian airspace. These provocations will only escalate until the Alliance fully transforms Baltic air policing into Baltic air defence, rotational air defense models become a reality and Estern Sentry comes up and running 24/7.
These are not accidents. The Alliance is being tested militarily. We must sharpen Nato’s posture to the point where no one dares to test our deterrence. #Lithuania stands in full solidarity with our ally #Estonia.”
EU's Costa blasts 'unacceptable provocation' by Russia, says leaders will discuss at next summit
European Council president António Costa said the EU leaders will discuss “collective response to Russia’s action” at the upcoming informal European Council meeting in Copenhagen on 1 October.
In a post on X, he said:
“The European Union stands firmly in solidarity with [Estonia].
Today’s violation of Estonian airspace by three Russian military aircraft is another unacceptable provocation.
It underscores yet again the urgent need to reinforce our Eastern flank, deepen European defence cooperation, and intensify pressure on Russia.
We will address our collective response to Russia’s actions at the informal European Council meeting in Copenhagen on 1 October.”
Russian jets intercepted by Italian F-35s stationed in Estonia, army confirms
The Estonian army has confirmed that the Russian fighter jets were intercepted by Italian F-35s based in Ämari in Estonia as part of an air policing mission over the Baltic sea.
Updated
EU's von der Leyen urges leaders to 'swiftly' adopt sanctions against Russia after Estonia incident
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has now weighed in on the Estonian incident too, linking it with the need to “swiftly” approve the new package of sanctions against Russia proposed earlier today (14:14, 14:16, 14:21, 14:43).
She said:
“Europe stands with Estonia in the face of Russia’s latest violation of our airspace.
We will respond to every provocation with determination while investing in a stronger Eastern flank.
As threats escalate, so too will our pressure.
I call on EU leaders to swiftly approve our 19th sanctions package.”
Nato intercepted Russian aircraft over Estonia, Nato spokesperson confirms
Nato spokesperson Alison Hart also issued a statement, confirming that Nato responded to the incident and intercepted the Russian fighter jets:
“Earlier today, Russian jets violated Estonian airspace. Nato responded immediately and intercepted the Russian aircraft. This is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and Nato’s ability to respond.”
Updated
'Extremely dangerous provocation,' EU's Kallas says on Russian fighter jets over Estonia, which 'further escalates tensions in region'
EU foreign policy chief – and former Estonian prime minister - Kaja Kallas has responded to the reports of three Russian fighter jets violating the Estonian airspace.
In a statement on X, she said:
“Today’s violation of Estonia’s airspace by Russian military aircraft is an extremely dangerous provocation.
This marks the third such violation of EU airspace in days and further escalates tensions in the region.
The EU stands in full solidarity with Estonia.
I am in close contact with the Estonian government.
We will continue to support our member states in strengthening their defences with European resources. Putin is testing the West’s resolve.
We must not show weakness.”
Updated
‘Unprecedently brazen’ violation of Nato airspace, Estonia’s foreign minister says
And here is the full quote from Estonia’s foreign minister Margus Tsahkna, published in the government’s press release.
“Russia has already violated Estonia’s airspace four times this year, which in itself is unacceptable.
But today’s incursion, involving three fighter aircraft entering our airspace, is unprecedentedly brazen.
Russia’s increasingly extensive testing of boundaries and growing aggressiveness must be met with a swift increase in political and economic pressure.”
Updated
Estonian airspace violated by three Russian military jets — reports
We are getting a line from Reuters that Estonian airspace was violated by Russian military jets on Friday.
The agency quotes the Estonian government as saying that three Russian Mig-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace without permission and stayed there for a total of 12 minutes.
The country’s foreign minister called the incident “unprecedently brazen,” and the government issued a note of protest to the top Russian diplomat in Estonia, public broadcaster ERR said.
Estonian Postimees reported that the jets did not submit flight plans and had their radio switched off at the time of the incident. Ohtuleht said the incident took place near the Vaindloo island, and it was the fourth violation of the Estonian airspace this year.
It’s the third Russian violation of Nato airspace in a short period of time, after Russian drone incursions into Poland and Romania.
Updated
Italy sees union strikes in solidarity with Palestine
in Palermo
Italy’s largest trade union confederation, together with several grassroots labour groups, has called a two-day nationwide strike to protest against what organisers describe as “the massacre and deportation of the Palestinian people.”
It marks the second national strike in solidarity with Palestine in Europe, following a similar action held in Spain in September 2024.
The strike is set to take place on Friday and again on Monday, bringing disruption and closures to schools, rail services, ports and other sectors across both public and private industries.
Hundreds of rallies and sit-ins are expected to be held in cities throughout the country.
“We believe what is happening is of unprecedented gravity,” read a statement on the CGIL union’s website. “This logic of force and rearmament is a real threat to the rights of all people and to democracy worldwide.”
CGIL’s secretary, Maurizio Landini, said the protest aimed “to create humanitarian corridors, to ensure the safety of the civilian population, and to support all ongoing humanitarian missions, including the Global Sumud Flotilla.”
“At the same time,” he added, “we demand that governments – our own, European, and beyond – suspend all commercial and military cooperation agreements with Israel until this war and this massacre in Gaza are brought to an end.”
Meanwhile, the Adriatic port of Ravenna on Thursday refused entry to two trucks reportedly carrying arms bound for Israel, amid growing protests by Italian dockworkers and other labour groups against the offensive in Gaza.
Similar actions have been taken by port workers in France, Sweden and Greece, who have moved to block weapons shipments destined for Israel.
Salvini's embrace with Russian ambassador, comments on Israel land him in political controversy
in Palermo
In other news, Italian far-right deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini, has sparked a political storm in the last 48 hours after first embracing and greeting Russia’s ambassador to Italy, then declaring in a television interview that he supports Israel’s right to defend itself.
Despite Italy being a staunch supporter of Ukraine, Matteo Salvini on Tuesday warmly greeted Russia’s ambassador to Italy, Alexei Paramonov, during a reception at the Chinese embassy in Rome – a gesture that drew sharp criticism from opposition parties.
Davide Faraone, vice-president of Italia Viva, said:
“It’s a problem for Italy when Salvini embraces the Russian ambassador while our military is engaged in repelling Russian drones in Poland.”
Salvini, who in the past was seen wearing a T-shirt featuring Vladimir Putin’s face, defended the encounter: “I met the Russian ambassador, as I have met dozens of other ambassadors,” he said.
Less than 24 hours later, he drew more attention after he insisted in an interview with Israel’s i24News channel on Thursday that Israel “has the right to ensure a peaceful future for itself”.
He added: “I speak as Matteo Salvini, as leader of my party and a member of the government. I cannot speak for everyone, but from my point of view, defending Israel – Israel’s right to life – means defending freedom and democracy. Therefore, Israel has every right to ensure a peaceful future.”
Salvini’s remarks come as Rome considers possible sanctions against Tel Aviv following Israel’s new offensive in Gaza, raising the risk of embarrassment for the Italian government.
In July, Salvini received the Italy–Israel Award, with Israel’s ambassador in Rome, Jonathan Peled, praising him for having “the courage to publicly take courageous and often disruptive positions”.
“If anyone deserves recognition for his efforts to strengthen the strategic bond between Italy and Israel, it is Matteo Salvini,” Peled said at the time.
Updated
Proposed sanctions will still need to be approved by member states — snap analysis
On the ‘next steps’ here, it’s worth remembering that the sanctions proposed by the commission today will still need to be discuss and approved by the member states.
Usually, this requires unanimity among all member states, throwing a spotlight on Hungary and Slovakia’s reactions in particular, as they have a history of blocking or delaying proposed measures.
However, the legal basis of some individual elements of the package, such as reparation loans, is yet to be fully clarified. Most likely they will also need unanimity, but this will surely be confirmed in due course.
But the key point here is that this is the starting point, not the final product.
There will be a technical process of agreeing and implementing these proposals, and their final shape may still evolve. One to watch.
Updated
'Any source of income for Kremlin to continue its aggression is target' for EU sanctions, Kallas says
In her statement, EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed that the bloc’s “sanctions bite” and “have a visible impact on Russia’s public finance and economic growth.”
Any source of income for the Kremlin to continue its aggression is a target.
She listed many of the measures mentioned by von der Leyen (14:14) as she said:
“Today we propose a full transaction ban on Russian banks and financial institutions, including those operating in third countries. We also propose adding large economic operators involved in the circumvention of sanctions, revenue generation and support for the Russian military industry, as well as the Russian credit card system and fast payments system.
We are also proposing a ban on investments in Russian Special Economic Zones linked to the war. And we propose further measures on Chinese actors supporting Russia’s military industry.”
On the crucial issue of energy exports, she offered a bit more detail, saying that the EU will propose a “full prohibition of Russian LNG imports by January 2027,” and will “lift remaining exemptions on Rosneft and Gazprom Neft.”
“These new sanctions will also squeeze Russia’s access to technologies including AI and geospatial data, as well as critical resources that feed weapons production. This includes those received from foreign suppliers including China and India,” she said.
She also said the package will include new measures against “individuals involved in the abduction and indoctrination of Ukrainian children.”
Kallas stressed:
“Europe wants peace for Ukraine.
But despite weeks of diplomatic efforts, Russia only intensifies its aggression and is now breaching the European Union’s own borders. Depriving Moscow of the means to wage war is essential to end this war and protect the security of our continent.
Russia’s aggression cannot continue unchecked.
Our message is clear: We will intensify pressure on Russia with increasingly hard-hitting sanctions, coupled with military support for Ukraine, until Russia accepts a genuine, just and lasting peace.”
Doubling down on her main warning, Kallas added on X:
We want to strike where Russia gets its money. No sector is off-limits.
Updated
EU wants to bring forward phase out of Russian LNG imports by 2027
Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas specified that the new package includes a proposal to bring the EU’s ban on Russian LNG imports by one year, to 1 January 2027, in a bid to put further pressure on Russia.
The move is likely to face some opposition from Hungary and Slovakia, and potentially even some of the other countries still importing Russian gas (12:34).
Russia 'has shown full extent of contempt for diplomacy and law,' EU's von der Leyen says
The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said in her statement that Russia “has shown the full extent of its contempt for diplomacy and international law” over the last month, as she criticised the largest-scale drone and missile attacks on Ukraine.
She specifically referenced the Russian strikes on Kyiv that hit the EU office in the capital, and Russian drone incursions into Poland and Romania.
These are not the actions of someone who wants peace.
The 19th package of sanctions comes in response to this “escalation” from Putin, she explained, as she outlined the key elements of what’s being proposed.
She says the EU will “want to cut” Russia’s revenues from fossil fuels, banning imports of Russian LNG into European markets.
118 additional vessels from the Russian shadow fleet will get added to the sanction list, which totals 560 vessels.
She added that “major energy trading companies Rosneft and Gazpromneft will now be on a full transaction ban,” and “other companies will also come under asset freeze.”
Crucially, the new package will also target “refiners, oil traders, petrochemical companies in third countries, including China” who are alleged to be “purchasing oil in breach of the sanctions.”
“In three years, Russia’s oil revenues in Europe have gone down by 90%. We are now turning that page for good,” she said.
The package will also look at closing “the financial looppholes,” von der Leyen said, adding that it will bring forward “a transaction ban on additional banks in Russia and on banks in third countries.”
“We are stepping up our crackdown on circumvention. As evasion tactics grow more sophisticated, our sanctions will adapt to stay ahead. Therefore, for the first time, our restrictive measures will hit crypto platforms, and prohibit transactions in crypto currencies. We are listing foreign banks connected to Russian alternative payment service systems. And we are restricting transactions with entities in special economic zones.”
The package will also “add new direct export restrictions for items and technologies used on the battlefield,” with 45 companies in Russia and third countries to be affected.
“These companies have been providing direct or indirect support to the Russian military industrial complex. In a war driven by innovation, cutting off Russia’s access to key technologies is crucial. Above all when it comes to drones,” she said.
Von der Leyen also said that while Russian frozen assets “will not be touched,” Ukraine will get reparations loans, to be repaid by future Russian repearations. “We will come forward with a proposal soon,” she said.
“Faced with Russia’s escalation, Europe stepped up to the challenge. We will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to bring this brutal war to an end.
I now call on the Member States to quickly endorse these new sanctions.
We want Russia to leave the battlefield and come to the negotiating table. This is the way to give peace a real chance.”
Here we go: we are now getting more details on the 19th package of sanctions, via Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
We are still waiting for the announcement on when we will get more detail on the 19th sanctions package.
von der Leyen’s much-promised statement is still not even listed on the EU’s EBS service.
China, India and Belarus line up for Russia’s rival version of Eurovision
Meanwhile, Russia is gearing up to revive its Soviet-era alternative to Eurovision – the Intervision song contest – which begins in Moscow on Saturday, with performers from 23, mostly allied, countries to take the stage.
But sequinned bodysuits, camp theatrics and Europop bangers will be in short supply. Instead, the Kremlin’s version of the spectacle promises “traditional values”, patriotic ballads and a Russian entry led by a fiercely pro-war singer, as Moscow attempts to refashion Europe’s glitter-soaked pageant in its own image.
Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022 after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Three years on, the president, Vladimir Putin, has signed a decree to revive Intervision, clearing the way for its first edition since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Participants will include members of the Brics bloc – China, India, Brazil and South Africa – as well as post-Soviet allies such as Belarus and several states in central Asia. The show will be hosted by the Chinese showman Lay (real name Meng Lei) and the Indian actor Stefy Patel, billed as the contest’s “international pair” of presenters.
Eight EU countries believed to be importing Russian gas
EU energy spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen also offered a bit more detail on which EU countries still import Russian gas via pipelines or LNG, with a caveat that the bloc doesn’t have the data on where it ends up being ultimately used.
She confirmed that eight EU countries are in that group: Belgium, France, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain.
This is important as comes amid growing frustration from US president Donald Trump on this issue as he keeps pressing the EU and Nato countries to completely cease all energy imports from Russia.
Updated
But we won’t know all the details about the new sanctions for a bit, it seems.
The press statements from von der Leyen and Kallas are expected “early afternoon,” but still to be confirmed, Pinho says, and there won’t be a detailed briefing on the measures until the final text is finalised.
But we should get the headline measures this afternoon. I will keep an eye out for this.
European Commission puts forward new package of sanctions against Russia
The European Commission had adopted a new package of sanctions against Russia, the commission’s chief spokesperson Paula Pinho has just confirmed.
Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will set out details in a press statement later today, she said.
EU to propose bringing Russian LNG ban forward to 2027 - sources
Reuters is reporting that the European Commission will propose banning Russian LNG imports by 1 January 2027, a year earlier than planned, as part of a 19th package of sanctions against Moscow, EU sources said.
'No evidence' Putin wants peace in Ukraine, outgoing MI6 chief warns
Meanwhile, the outgoing MI6 chief Richard Moore warned that he sees “no evidence” that Russian president Vladimir Putin has any interest in a negotiated peace short of Ukrainian capitulation, Reuters reported.
Speaking in Istanbul, he said that Putin was “stringing us along” with promises of progress on peace, AP added.
“He seeks to impose his imperial will by all means at his disposal. But he cannot succeed,” Moore said.
“Bluntly, Putin has bitten off more than he can chew. He thought he was going to win an easy victory. But he – and many others – underestimated the Ukrainians.”
“Putin has sought to convince the world that Russian victory is inevitable. But he lies. He lies to the world. He lies to his people. Perhaps he even lies to himself,” he told a news conference.
He said that Putin was “mortgaging his country’s future for his own personal legacy and a distorted version of history” and the war was “accelerating this decline.”
Moore will leave the post at the end of the month
EU leaders get invite to meet in Copenhagen for talks on defence, Ukraine
Meanwhile, EU leaders have just received a formal invitation to their informal meeting of the European Council in Copenhagen on 1 October.
The European Council president, António Costa, said in a letter that the meeting will be focused on “strengthening European common defence readiness and reinforcing our support for Ukraine,” also in the context of Russia’s recent airspace violations in Poland and Romania.
The leaders are expected to discuss how they can meet the 2030 defence readiness targets, and see what else can be done to support Ukraine, including a chat on the EU accession pathway.
The invite comes on the back of Costa’s tour of 23 EU countries in the last few weeks – four ar still on his list – as he wanted to get an idea of what makes the capitals tick and what they are most interested in getting done through the EU.
His spokesperson said that while “perspective may differ … all leaders converge on the need to build faster, a more strategically autonomous Europe, equipped with the tools and processes to be more self-reliant.”
There will be also another European Council at the end of October, but this time in Brussels.
Morning opening: New EU sanctions on Russia could come today
The European Union is expected to unveil the latest, 19th, package of sanctions against Russia today, which the commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said would target crypto, banks, and energy, among others.
The EU is also reportedly looking at imposing sanctions on companies in China and India helping Russia’s oil trade, as reported previously by Bloomberg (£).
The move comes amid growing pressure from the US president, Donald Trump, for the bloc to also accelerate its plans to phase out Russian oil.
Speaking alongside UK prime minister Keir Starmer, he said yesterday that the was “to do other things” to help Europeans push back against Russia, but “not when the people that I’m fighting for are buying oil from Russia”.
“You can’t [do that], that’s not playing fair with the United States, and we can’t have that,” he says.
Let’s see if the sanctions indeed come today, and what are the details.
It’s Friday, 19 September 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
