US envoy to UN vows to 'defend every inch of NATO territory'by AFP Staff WritersUnited Nations, United States (AFP) Sept 22, 2025Washington's new envoy to the United Nations vowed Monday to "defend every inch of NATO territory" as he addressed an emergency meeting over an incursion by Russian fighter jets into Estonia's air space. "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," said US Ambassador Mike Waltz. Asked whether he would help defend the EU members if Russia intensifies hostilities, Trump told reporters: "Yeah, I would." Western powers have warned that Russia is playing with fire with its repeated ventures into NATO airspace, whose members have a mutual defense assistance pact.