A missile that landed in Poland near the country’s border with Ukraine likely came from Ukrainian missile defenses and not from an intentional attack through Russia, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday, criticizing Moscow for waging its “illegal” war and dispelling fears the incident could escalate dramatically and drag the entire army alliance into the conflict.
The preliminary investigation suggests that the explosions in a Polish town near the Ukrainian border that killed two other people were “most likely” a twist of fate caused by Ukrainian air defenses responding to Russian strikes, Stoltenberg said.
Stoltenberg said NATO would continue its investigation, but under pressure that the incident was “not Ukraine’s fault,” adding that Kyiv had the right to protect itself against Russian attacks.
“Russia bears ultimate responsibility” for the blast, Stoltenberg said, because Ukraine would want to protect itself if Moscow faced an “illegal” war of aggression.
Although responsible, Stoltenberg said there is “no indication” that the explosion is the result of a planned attack, or that Russia is preparing offensive moves by the military opposed to NATO.
Poland invoked article four of the alliance’s treaty in the wake of the incident, Stoltenberg said, which members can invoke when their “territorial integrity, political independence or security” is threatened and may lead to a resolution to adopt joint NATO action.
A Russian-made missile entered Polish territory on Tuesday. Landed near the Ukrainian border, the missile killed two other people and raised fears that Poland would be dragged into the fight. Poland is a member of NATO and the incident marked the first time a NATO country has been directly affected by the conflict, raising fears that the rest of the alliance will also be dragged into the fight. The origin of the missile was unclear: Ukraine and Russia use the same type of weapons, and Ukraine and Russia denied responsibility. .
The moves in Poland illuminate the army alliance at the very heart of the war in Ukraine and show very transparent pathways for the global clash to lead to the Russian invasion. One of NATO’s ultimate basic principles is that an attack on one is considered an attack on all and if the incident were to be considered a planned Russian attack, it could bring the entire alliance into confrontation as direct combatants. Although not directly involved in the Ukraine war, NATO has proven to be a vital driving force for Russia and Ukraine. The alliance has grown significantly since its inception in 1949, from 12 members to the current 30, and Russia has chafed at the inclusion of nations it once counted in its own sphere of influence. Ukraine has signaled its preference to sign and Russia has opposed this ambition, one of the strains of the Moscow invasion and a factor that will most likely be at the center of long-term peace negotiations. Many NATO members, specifically in Europe and the United States, have given Ukraine really extensive assistance to help in their fight, which has been very vital in helping their forces repel the Russian invaders.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led Finland and Sweden to abandon their long-standing neutrality and sign up on their goal of joining NATO. Both enjoy extensive support among members, the resolution will have to be unanimous and its acceptance is not guaranteed, as Turkey is a significant impediment to its eventual admission. If accepted, NATO’s land border with Russia would be particularly built.
7. This is the number of times Article Four has been invoked in NATO history. The last time it was invoked was in February after liberation from the Russian invasion. Neighbouring and nearby countries: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia have declared war as an imaginable threat. The alliance then ruled out direct intervention in Ukraine, but strengthened its eastern flank.
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