Polish FM: NATO yet to decide on intercepting Russian targets over Ukraine

Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said Ukraine has renewed its call for NATO to intercept Russian drones and missiles before they reach alliance territory, but warned no decision has been taken and that such operations could endanger civilians.

His remarks came as Warsaw invoked urgent NATO consultations under Article 4 after what it described as a “massive and deliberate” violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones, Caliber.Az reports, citing Polish media.

Sikorski confirmed that Polish defences, supported by allied aircraft, responded to the overnight assault in which drones crossed into NATO and EU territory 19 times.

“This was not an accident,” the deputy prime minister said, adding that Poland had lodged a formal protest with Russia’s charge d’affaires. He accused Moscow of escalating its war against Ukraine by targeting NATO borders and mocked Russian claims that the drones were not theirs.

Calling the incident an “unprecedented attack not just on Poland, but on the Alliance and the European Union,” Sikorski urged NATO to reinforce the eastern flank with additional Patriot batteries and backed EU plans for a “drone wall” along Europe’s frontier.

The foreign minister also criticised Belarus, saying the drones had entered from its territory and accusing Minsk of complicity. He pointed to Belarus’s detention of Polish citizens and joint military drills with Russia under “aggressive scenarios.”

Sikorski admitted the situation could deteriorate further, saying, “I won’t pretend it cannot get worse, but Poland has prepared for this time of crisis and our state has risen to the challenge.” He added that President Vladimir Putin was undermining U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace efforts but voiced confidence that Washington would uphold its security commitments.

By requesting NATO consultations, Poland has triggered a mechanism previously used by Türkiye during Middle Eastern conflicts, which led to additional air defences being deployed. Warsaw now hopes for similar support as it faces the prospect of further Russian escalation.

By Aghakazim Guliyev