Russia risks ‘expansion’ of war with intrusions into NATO airspace, Waltz says in first public address as UN ambassador

Newly confirmed US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz called on Moscow to “urgently stop” expanding its war into NATO nations after the Kremlin launched drones into Poland and jets into Estonian airspace in less than two weeks.

“At a time when President Trump and the United States has been focused, and spent an enormous amount of time and effort to end this horrific war between Russia and Ukraine, we expect Russia to seek ways to de-escalate — not risk expansion,” Waltz told the UN National Security Council on Monday.

Waltz’s words came at a UNSC briefing on Russia’s Friday escalation, during which Moscow sent “three armed military aircraft 10 nautical miles into Estonian airspace, coming within 15 miles of the Estonian Parliament,” according to the US ambassador.

“This event, following on the heels of the Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace, creates the impression that Russia either wants to escalate and pull more countries into this conflict with Ukraine, or doesn’t have full control of those who operate its fighter planes and drones,” Waltz said.

“Either scenario is very disconcerting, given that Russia is obviously a nuclear power with global reach.”

The Senate confirmed Waltz to his new position on Friday, nearly four months after leaving his prior role as Trump’s national security adviser.

That came after his accidental inclusion of a journalist on a Signal chat group in which top officials — including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth — discussed top-secret plans to bomb Houthi terrorists in Yemen.

The ambassador, who was confirmed just in time for the UN General Assembly held in New York this week, added that Washington would “defend every inch of NATO.”

“Just nine days ago, this council met to discuss Russia’s violation of Poland’s airspace with a large number of military drones. In that meeting, the United States urged Russia to end the war in Ukraine, and stop actions that could risk it escalating into a broader conflict,” Waltz said.

“As we said nine days ago, the United States stands by our NATO Allies in the face of these airspace violations.  And I want to take this first opportunity to repeat, and to emphasize, the United States and our Allies will defend every inch of NATO territory.”

He further pressed Russia to “respect the sovereignty of its neighbors,” and shared Trump’s call for Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“I call on Russia to negotiate directly with Ukraine to end that war,” he addedf in closing out his statement.