But he cautioned that it would take a more cautious approach to situations that are not clearcut<\/strong>, Reuters reported.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will take the decision to shoot down flying objects when they violate our territory and fly over Poland<\/strong> \u2013 there is absolutely no discussion about that,\u201d Tusk<\/strong> told a news conference.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we\u2019re dealing with situations that aren\u2019t entirely clear, such as the recent flight of Russian fighter jets over the Petrobaltic platform \u2013 but without any violation, because these aren\u2019t our territorial waters \u2013 you really need to think twice before deciding on actions that could trigger a very acute phase of conflict,<\/strong>\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Tusk said that he would also need to be certain that Poland would not be alone if a conflict started to escalate<\/strong>, Reuters stressed.<\/p>\n \u201cI also need to be absolutely certain… that all allies will treat this in exactly the same way<\/strong> as we do,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n German chancellor Merz’s absence at UN general assembly on Palestine prompts questions in Berlin<\/p>\n The absence of Friedrich Merz this week from the UN general assembly<\/strong> at which recognising Palestine as a state is the central focus<\/strong> might not be headline news but both in Germany and beyond it is very much being commented on.<\/strong><\/p>\n German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at a recent press conference in Madrid, Spain. Photograph: Susana Vera\/Reuters<\/p>\n Around 150 states have already agreed to recognise the state, with several more expected to sign up this week. Germany, it is clear, will not be among them.<\/strong><\/p>\n The decision of Germany\u2019s fledgling leader to stay away from the New York gathering is being seen as inextricably entwined in the business at hand<\/strong>, even as Merz and his government advisers are insisting it has far more to do with pressing budgetary deals he needs to preside over in Berlin.<\/p>\n Instead, Merz has sent his foreign minister Joe Wadephul<\/strong> even as he will have to interrupt his visit to fly back to Berlin for Wednesday\u2019s budgetary vote in the Bundestag (which incidentally also includes Germany\u2019s 576 million fee for UN membership) before heading back to NYC where he is due to speak to the UNGA on Saturday (by which time many state leaders will already have departed and there will probably be much less media interest.)<\/p>\n Word on the ground in Berlin is, that had he wanted to, Merz could have been flown to NYC today and back in time for Wednesday\u2019s vote,<\/strong> even at short notice. Even the UN could still have found a respectable speaking slot for him, according to insiders.<\/p>\n While Britain, Canada and Australia have announced they are preparing to recognise Palestine as a state, Germany (and Italy) say that they believe recognition to be wrong at this point in time.<\/strong><\/p>\n Europe\u2019s division on this is not seen to be at all helpful<\/strong> in terms of trying to negotiate a long-term peace agreement.<\/p>\n Shortly before boarding his plane on Monday morning, Wadephul said Germany did not rule out recognising a state<\/strong>, but said: \u201cFor Germany the recognition of a Palestinian state is more likely at the end of the process,\u201d adding: \u201csuch a process must begin now.\u201d<\/p>\n At the same time he stressed Germany\u2019s demands for a negotiated two-state solution,<\/strong> \u201ceven if this is far from reach right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Thousands protest in solidarity with Gaza on second day of Italian strikes<\/p>\n Elsewhere, cities across Italy saw pro-Palestinian protests, strikes and blockades today<\/strong>, responding to calls from unions to \u201cdenounce the genocide in Gaza\u201d<\/strong> and for diplomatic and economic sanctions against Israel, <\/strong>AFP reported.<\/p>\n More than 20,000 people gathered in front of Rome\u2019s central station<\/strong> to protest against the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, AP reported.<\/p>\n There were also protests in northern cities Milan<\/strong> and Turin<\/strong>, the central city Florence<\/strong> and southern cities Naples<\/strong>, Bari<\/strong> and Palermo<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The second student rally joins the rest of the pro-Palestinian protesters in Genoa, Italy. Photograph: Emanuela Zampa\/Getty ImagesPeople take part in a demonstration part of a nationwide protest and general strike against the killings in Gaza, in Rome. Photograph: Alessandra Tarantino\/AP<\/p>\n Dockworkers in Genoa<\/strong> and Livorno<\/strong> in the centre-north blocked the ports, according to Italian news agencies.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Disruption of European airports confirmed as ransomware attack, ENISA says<\/p>\n The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, <\/strong>or ENISA, just said that the cyberattack that disrupted several European airports (11:45<\/a>) has now been confirmed to be a ransomware attack.<\/strong><\/p>\n Share<\/a>Poland ready to shoot down objects violating its airspace, PM says, but signals caution when violations are not clearcut<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Poland\u2019s prime minister Donald Tusk<\/strong> warned that Poland would not hesitate and shoot down any objects that \u201cviolate our territory and fly over Poland.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n But he cautioned that it would take a more cautious approach to situations that are not clearcut<\/strong>, Reuters reported.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will take the decision to shoot down flying objects when they violate our territory and fly over Poland<\/strong> \u2013 there is absolutely no discussion about that,\u201d Tusk<\/strong> told a news conference.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we\u2019re dealing with situations that aren\u2019t entirely clear, such as the recent flight of Russian fighter jets over the Petrobaltic platform \u2013 but without any violation, because these aren\u2019t our territorial waters \u2013 you really need to think twice before deciding on actions that could trigger a very acute phase of conflict,<\/strong>\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Tusk said that he would also need to be certain that Poland would not be alone if a conflict started to escalate<\/strong>, Reuters stressed.<\/p>\n \u201cI also need to be absolutely certain… that all allies will treat this in exactly the same way<\/strong> as we do,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>‘Irrefutable evidence’ of Russian violation of Estonian airspace, diplomat says<\/p>\n Estonia\u2019s senior diplomat Jonatan Vseviov<\/strong>, quoted earlier (10:38), also commented on Russian claims that its jets had not violated Estonian airspace in his interview this morning.<\/p>\n In comments reported by Estonian public broadcaster ERR, he said<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201cWe have irrefutable evidence of this, and not just us, but all of our allies.<\/strong> This evidence exists. The fact that Russia is provocatively and dangerously violating the airspace of a Nato country is one thing. The fact that it is openly lying to the whole world about it is another.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Share<\/a>Kremlin denies violating Nato airspace, accuses Estonia of ‘escalating tensions’<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Kremlin accused Estonia<\/a> of falsely claiming that its military jets had violated its airspace on Friday,<\/strong> alleging without any evidence that it was trying to raise tensions.<\/p>\n Asked about that assertion, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow had not heard Estonia say it had evidence to back up its accusution.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWe consider such statements empty, unfounded, and a continuation of the country\u2019s utterly unstoppable policy of escalating tensions<\/strong> and provoking a confrontational atmosphere,\u201d Peskov told reporters, as quoted by AFP.<\/p>\n Russian pilots always operated in accordance with international law<\/strong>, he claimed in comments reported by Reuters.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Flight delays continue across Europe after weekend cyber-attack Elsewhere, passengers are facing another day of flight delays across Europe, as big airports continue to grapple with the aftermath of a cyber-attack <\/a>on the company behind the software used for check-in and boarding.<\/strong><\/p>\n Passengers are seen in front of the check-in counters in Terminal 1 at Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Sch\u00f6nefeld, Germany. Photograph: Michael Ukas\/AP<\/p>\n Several of the largest airports in Europe, including London Heathrow,<\/strong> have been trying to restore normal operations<\/a> over the past few days after an attack on Friday disrupted automatic check-in and boarding software.<\/p>\n The problem stemmed from Collins Aerospace,<\/strong> a software provider that works with several airlines across the world.<\/p>\n The company, which is a subsidiary of the US aerospace and defence company RTX, said on Monday that it was working with four affected airports and airline customers<\/strong>, and was in the final stages of completing the updates needed to restore full functionality.<\/p>\n Airports in Brussels<\/strong>, Dublin<\/strong> and Berlin<\/strong> have also experienced delays. While kiosks and bag-drop machines have been offline, airline staff have instead relied on manual processing.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Nato ambassadors to meet for talks on Russian jets in Estonia on Tuesday<\/p>\n Separately, Nato ambassadors will meet to discuss the violation of Estonian airspace on Tuesday,<\/strong> AFP reported.<\/p>\n The meeting, convened after Estonia triggered the Article 4 procedure for emergency discussions,<\/strong> will give ambassadors a chance to discuss the alliance\u2019s response to the incident.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Russian provocation in Estonia ‘part of pattern of unacceptable behaviour,’ Estonian diplomat says<\/p>\n Senior Estonian diplomat Jonatan Vseviov<\/strong> warned<\/a> that last week\u2019s Russian incursion was \u201cpart of a pattern of unacceptable behaviour, not an isolated event.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cRecent weeks have seen repeated air and drone incidents in the region, all happening on the background of Russia\u2019s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Vseviov, Estonia\u2019s former ambassador to the US, also urged Europe to respond strongly, saying that \u201cthe fact of the incursion shows our previous messaging has not been clear or credible enough<\/strong> to change the reckless behaviour we face.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur purpose is defensive clarity. If lines are blurred, they must be redrawn<\/strong> \u2013 decisively and together. That\u2019s what we\u2019ll aim to do in the coming days.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n On Monday, he went further telling Estonian media<\/a> that it was necessary to make the consequences of the incident \u201csufficiently unpleasant consequences for Russia<\/strong>, so that it doesn\u2019t come to this airspace next time.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Morning opening: Growing concerns about Russian provocations in eastern Europe The UN security council will meet today<\/strong> to discuss the widely condemend Russian fighter jets incursion into Estonian airspace on Friday.<\/p>\n This image released by the Swedish air force shows a Russian MIG-31 fighter jet flying above the Baltic sea after violating Estonian airspace. Photograph: FORSVARSMAKTEN\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n It will be the second time in 10 days that it meets to discuss Russia\u2019s increasingly aggressive posture in the region,<\/strong> after Poland called the first meeting over Russian drones in its airspace.<\/p>\n \u201cThe issue is that Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, has very blatantly violated the principle of territorial integrity<\/strong>, is behaving aggressively in the same way more broadly, and this is not a one-time incident,\u201d Estonia\u2019s foreign minister Margus Tsahkna<\/strong> told Postimees<\/a>.<\/p>\n But over the weekend, another Russian aircraft was detected flying over the Baltic Sea without a flight plan<\/strong>, prompting a reaction from Nato allies, Germany and Sweden.<\/p>\n![\"Kate](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Kate_Connolly,_L.png\")
Kate Connolly<\/p>\n\n
![\"Lauren](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Lauren_Almeida.png\")
Lauren Almeida<\/p>\n\n
![\"Jakub](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758544694_757_Jakub_Krupa.png\")
Jakub Krupa<\/p>\n