WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Thursday his commitment to advance a "great modernization program" for Poland's military. This pledge comes just a day after Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace, marking a significant moment for NATO as it confronts a potential threat in its territory for the first time.
The European officials labeled the drone incursion, which occurred amid relentless Russian strikes on Ukraine, as a deliberate provocation. The incident heightened fears that the ongoing three-year conflict between Ukraine and Russia could escalate into a broader regional conflict. U.S.-led diplomatic efforts aimed at brokering peace between Moscow and Kyiv have yet to yield significant results.
In response to the incursion, the Polish Air Navigation Agency announced new air traffic restrictions in eastern Poland, following a request from the Polish military for enhanced national security. Specific details regarding these measures were not disclosed.
The Polish government indicated that some of the drones that entered its airspace originated from neighboring Belarus, where Russian and Belarusian troops are preparing for military exercises scheduled to commence Friday. As a precautionary step related to these exercises, Poland is set to close its border with Belarus at midnight on Thursday.
During an address to troops at an air base in Lask, Tusk praised the swift response of Polish forces and NATO allies, particularly those from the Netherlands, to the Russian drone incursions. He also mentioned that Poland is on track to receive its first F-35 fighter jets from the United States in the upcoming year, marking the initial delivery of a total of 32 jets under a support package that was finalized five years ago. Tusk emphasized that these jets would significantly enhance Poland's security and NATO's capability to defend against regional threats.
In his remarks, Tusk expressed hope that the delivery timelines for the F-35s would be honored, aiming for the first batch to arrive in May. He noted that this would allow Poland to bolster its air power and enhance its sense of security in the region.
U.S. President Donald Trump responded to the drone incursion with an ambiguous statement, asking online, "What’s with Russia violating Poland’s airspace with drones? Here we go!" Trump recently reaffirmed to Polish President Karol Nawrocki during a meeting at the White House that the United States would maintain a strong military presence in Poland.
Several European leaders interpreted the incursion as a calculated escalation of Russia's ongoing assault on Ukraine. Kaja Kallas, the European Union's foreign policy chief, stated that Russia's war is escalating rather than concluding, adding that the incident in Poland represents a "game changer" that should lead to stronger sanctions against Russia.
Historically, Polish airspace has faced numerous violations since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022; however, none had reached this scale either in Poland or elsewhere within NATO territory.
In light of these developments, tensions remain high as NATO allies assess their military strategies and response mechanisms to safeguard member nations and deter potential aggressions.
