NATO director clarifies why Poland won’t divert Russian projectiles
Date
7/15/2024 7:37:42 AM
(MENAFN) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has firmly stated that Poland will not intercept Russian missiles over Ukrainian territory, emphasizing that the alliance aims to avoid direct involvement in the ongoing conflict with Moscow. This decision comes amidst increasing pressure from Ukraine for NATO member Poland to utilize its air defense capabilities to safeguard western Ukraine, a topic that arose during recent discussions surrounding a Polish-Ukrainian security agreement.
In an interview with Ukrainian state television at last week’s NATO summit in Washington, Stoltenberg reiterated that NATO's position remains unchanged. He pointed out that the best support Ukraine can anticipate involves assistance in targeting Russian warplanes using weapon systems operated by Ukrainian forces.
The prospect of NATO intercepting Russian missiles over Ukraine has been consistently rejected by member states, including Poland. Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated unequivocally that Poland will not engage with Russian missiles without the consensus of other NATO members. “If NATO does not make such a decision, Poland will not make it individually,” he asserted.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has indicated that supplying air defenses to Ukraine is “by far and away the best method of stopping the Russian aerial attacks,” reinforcing the rationale behind Poland’s cautious approach.
Russia, for its part, has characterized the Ukraine conflict as a US-led proxy war, accusing NATO nations of involvement in various capacities without directly engaging Russian forces on the battlefield. Moscow argues that being effectively parties to the conflict entails shared responsibility for any war crimes committed by Ukrainian forces.
This complex dynamic highlights the intricate balance NATO must maintain while navigating the challenges posed by the ongoing war in Ukraine, with member states weighing their support against the potential risks of escalation.
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