Every inch of NATO territory must be protected: Western reaction to the fall of Russian missiles in Poland

Following Russian attacks on the territory of Ukraine on November 15, according to Polish media reports, several missiles fell on the territory of Poland as Russia attacked the infrastructure of western Ukraine.

In response, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki convened an emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers for National Security and Defense.

Since Poland is a member of NATO, it can use Article 5, which provides for the collective defense of NATO member states.

Subsequently, other representatives of NATO member states reacted to the Russian attack.

Fakty ICTV collected the reaction of Western officials to the missile attacks on Polish territories.

Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks said that the criminal Russian regime fired missiles that hit not only civilian Ukrainians, but “also fell on NATO territory in Poland”.

– Latvia fully supports our Polish friends and condemns this crime,” he wrote on Twitter.

In particular, the Estonian Foreign Ministry stated that Estonia is ready to defend every inch of NATO territory.

– We are in full solidarity with our close ally Poland – the statement of the Foreign Ministry reads.

President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda said that he also supports Poland in the Russian attack on NATO territory.

– Regarding the news from Poland this evening about at least two explosions. We are in close contact with our Polish friends. Lithuania stands in solidarity with Poland. Every inch of NATO territory must be protected!” he wrote.

According to the Czech newspaper Deník N, Czech Defense Minister Jana Černočová considers the reports of a missile falling on Poland to be proven.

– We will soon find out whether it was a mistake or a deliberate provocation. All sides are now trying to quickly conduct an investigation, in particular to find out what type of missiles they were. I cannot say more at this point. In any case, we believe it is proven that the missiles landed on Polish territory, otherwise the Chief of the General Staff and the Director of Military Intelligence would not have informed me about it, they would not have informed me about any disinformation. They have already talked to their colleagues abroad. I consider it proven. Now the only question is whether it was a mistake, provocation or purpose,” said Yana Chernochova.

According to her, the chief of the Czech General Staff and the head of the Czech military intelligence were informed about the Russian attack on the territory of Poland.

At the same time, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said that such actions of the Russian Federation will be a continuation of escalation if the fall of Russian missiles is confirmed by Poland.

– Today’s massive missile attacks by the Russian army on Ukraine clearly demonstrate that Russia wants to terrorize its people and further destroy the country. If Poland confirms that missiles hit its territory, it will be a further escalation on the part of Russia. We stand firmly with our EU and NATO ally,” he wrote on Twitter.

Slovak Defense Minister Jaro Nad also reacted to the Russian attack.

– I am very concerned about the fall of Russian missiles on Poland. Russia must explain what happened. Senseless attacks on infrastructure must stop immediately. Russia’s recklessness is getting out of control. I am in close contact with Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak and allies to coordinate a response,” he wrote on Twitter.

The United Kingdom said London is “in close contact” with allies following reports that Russian missiles or shells have landed in Poland, according to a British Foreign Office spokesman, CNN reports.

– We are looking into these reports and are in close contact with our allies,” a spokesman for the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office told CNN.

For its part, the French edition BFMTV writes that the French authorities together with their NATO allies “eliminate all doubts” about the explosions in Poland.

– France, in the framework of NATO and its British, American and “obviously” Polish allies, is conducting “removal of doubts” after the explosions that occurred on Tuesday in Poland near the Ukrainian border, – BFMTV writes with reference to an official source.

President of the European Council Charles Michel wrote on Twitter that he was shocked by reports of deaths in Poland as a result of the Russian strike…

– I am shocked by the news that a missile or other munition killed people in Poland. My condolences to the families. We support Poland. I am in contact with the Polish authorities, members of the European Council and other allies,” he wrote.

As a reminder, the American edition of the Associated Press, citing US intelligence, reported that the United States confirmed that a Russian missile crossed the borders of Poland, which is a NATO member, and that two people were killed by the Russian attack.

Earlier, on November 15, Russia launched one of its largest ever barrages of missiles at Ukraine’s energy facilities, hitting targets from east to west and causing widespread power outages.

Neighbouring Moldova was also affected. It reported massive blackouts after strikes knocked out a key power line supplying the small state, one official said.

Russia fired at least 85 missiles, “most of them at our energy infrastructure,” cutting power in many cities, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Photo: Visegrad 24