Defence Secretary John Healey said he had ordered armed forces to look at ways of boosting NATO air defence over Poland after Russian drones were shot down
Vladimir Putin has been warned that his latest aggression “only serves to strengthen” NATO unity.
Overnight Poland shot down a number of Russian drones in its airspace in an unprecedented violation. Defence Secretary John Healey branded the attacks reckless and dangerous and said the Russian despot is testing the UK and its allies.
He said he had ordered the UK armed forces to “to look at options to bolster Nato’s air defence over Poland”. He vowed to stand firm, telling a press conference in London: “We say to President Putin, your aggression only serves to strengthen the unity between our NATO nations.
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“Your aggression only serves to strengthen our determination to stand with Ukraine. And your aggression reminds us that a secure Europe needs a strong Ukraine, and that the security of Europe starts in Ukraine.”
Mr Healey said Europe’s largest defence forces are “determined to confront this new era of threat”, stating: “Russia’s actions are reckless and they’re dangerous, they’re unprecedented.
“We see what Putin is doing yet again. He is testing us yet again. We will stand firm.” Mr Healey met with defence ministers from the E5 group of nations – Europe’s biggest defence spenders.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the risk of a wider conflict is “closer than at any time since the second world war”. Speaking after meeting counterparts from Germany, France, Italy and Poland, Mr Healey said: “We leave here today as E5 nations, Europe’s top defense spenders, more united and more determined to confront this new era of threat, to step up further for Ukraine and to continue to boost our defense spending as we increase warfighting readiness.”
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it did not target Poland, but close ally Belarus said it tracked some drones that “lost their course” because they were jammed. But several European leaders said they believe that the incursion amounted to an intentional escalation by Russia of its war on Ukraine.
Ukrainian Presdent Volodymyr Zelensky said: “Moscow is always testing the limits of the possible, and if it does not meet a strong reaction, moves to a new level of escalation. Today was another escalatory step.”
He said at least eight attack drones had targeted Poland. Poland said some of the drones came from Belarus, where Russian and Belarusian troops have begun gathering for war games starting on Friday.
“Russia’s war is escalating, not ending,” European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. “Last night in Poland we saw the most serious European airspace violation by Russia since the war began, and indications suggest it was intentional, not accidental.”
Earlier Keir Starmer said: “This morning’s barbaric attack on Ukraine and the egregious and unprecedented violation of Polish and NATO airspace by Russian drones is deeply concerning.
“This was an extremely reckless move by Russia and only serves to remind us of President Putin’s blatant disregard for peace, and the constant bombardment innocent Ukrainians face every day.
“I have been in touch with the Polish Prime Minister this morning to make clear our support for Poland, and that we will stand firm in our support for Ukraine.
“My sincere thanks go to the NATO and Polish forces who rapidly responded to protect the Alliance. With our partners – and through our leadership of the Coalition of the Willing – we will continue to ramp up the pressure on Putin until there is a just and lasting peace.”
Last month Putin held talks with US President Donald Trump in Alaska aimed at bringing the war to an end. But he has since launched a string of attacks on Ukraine and shows no sign of seeking peace.
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