Europe bulletin: Estonia airspace breach, UK borrowing surge, EU sanctions Russia

Friday’s European news cycle was marked by historic agreements, heightened security concerns, financial strain, and new sanctions on Russia.

Russia violates Estonian airspace in ‘brazen’ act

Estonia said three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated its airspace for 12 minutes on Friday, describing the incident as “unprecedentedly brazen.”

Tallinn noted it was Russia’s fourth airspace breach this year, escalating tensions on NATO’s eastern flank.

The incursion followed major Zapad 2025 military exercises by Russia and Belarus, and came a week after Russian drones entered Polish airspace.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said Moscow’s “ever-increasing testing of borders” required stronger political and economic countermeasures from Western allies.

UK and Ireland reach Troubles legacy deal

Britain and Ireland agreed on Friday to scrap the controversial Legacy Act and replace it with a new framework for addressing crimes committed during the Troubles.

The agreement, fulfilling a Labour government pledge, will allow inquests halted under the 2023 law to resume.

That legislation, introduced by the Conservatives, had granted conditional immunity to ex-soldiers and militants, a provision later ruled incompatible with human rights law.

The Legacy Act was opposed across Northern Ireland’s political spectrum and challenged by the Irish government at the European Court of Human Rights.

UK borrowing hits five-year high

Britain’s public sector borrowing climbed to £18 billion in August, its highest August level in five years, according to ONS data released Friday.

The figure overshot City expectations of £12.75 billion and the OBR’s forecast of £12.5 billion.

Borrowing for the financial year to date rose to £83.8 billion, £16 billion higher than last year and above official projections.

The shortfall adds pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of the November 26 budget and raises expectations of tax rises.

The pound slipped to $1.35 against the dollar, while gilt yields moved higher.

EU adopts 19th sanctions package against Russia

The European Commission adopted its 19th package of sanctions on Friday, including a full ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU was prepared for the step, citing energy savings, diversification of supplies, and record investment in renewables.

The new measures accelerate Europe’s energy strategy, which initially targeted a full phase-out of Russian fossil fuels by 2027.

The move follows pressure from US President Donald Trump for Europe to intensify restrictions on Moscow’s energy trade.