ReutersMore Nato countries will move their troops and fighter jets eastwards in response to Wednesday’s unprecedented Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace.
Denmark, France and Germany have joined a new mission to bolster the military alliance’s eastern flank. Other Nato allies are expected to take part later.
It came as the Kremlin said on Friday that peace talks with Kyiv were on “pause”, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying: “You can’t wear rose-tinted glasses and expect that the negotiation process will yield immediate results.”
Political tensions have been high across Europe after Poland said 19 Russian drones had flown through its airspace on Wednesday. Some were shot down, while others crashed into fields and even a house in eastern Poland.
EPA/ShutterstockRussia’s military said it had “no plans to target facilities” in Poland – but Polish and European leaders believe the incursion was deliberate.
According to the Danish defence ministry, Denmark will contribute two F-16 fighter jets to support Poland’s air defence, and a warship.
“Denmark fully supports Poland in this situation,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said. “We must not be naive. Putin will stop at nothing, and he is testing us. Therefore, it is crucial… Denmark is contributing to this.”
France will contribute three Rafale fighter jets, and Germany will give four Eurofighters.
The UK is “fully committed” to help strengthen the Eastern Sentry, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement, adding that it will provide more details soon.
On Friday, European countries – and the US – stood by Poland during an urgent UN Security Council session in New York discussing Russia’s drone incursion.
“The United States stands by our Nato allies in the face of these alarming airspace violations,” acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea said. “And rest assured, we will defend every inch of Nato territory.
She added that since Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin held a summit in Alaska nearly a month ago to discuss peace, “Russia has intensified its bombing campaign against Ukraine”.
While addressing the UN on Friday, Poland’s Secretary of State Marcin Bosacki held up photos of one of the downed drones, and a damaged house.
“We know – and I repeat – we know that it was not a mistake,” he said.
The Netherlands and Czech Republic have already said they would send defences to Poland, while Lithuania will receive a German brigade and greater warning of Russian attacks on Ukraine that could cross over.
Germany also said it would “intensify its engagement along Nato’s eastern border” and extend and expand air policing over Poland.
