Ukraine war

World leaders call to invoke Article 4 after Russian strike on Poland

Police block a road, amid reports of two explosions, in Przewodow, Poland, November 15, 2022. (Photo: Reuters)

Poland has increased its military readiness in anticipation of a major escalation of the conflict in Ukraine following the alleged fall of a Russian-made missile inside the NATO member's borders.

Tuesday, firefighters reported that two people were killed in an explosion in Przewodow, a village in eastern Poland about six kilometers from the Ukrainian border. According to media reports, the strike struck a grain-drying facility.

The United States and its Western allies said they were conducting an investigation but could not confirm that the explosion was caused by stray Russian missiles, while the Russian Defense Ministry denied the claim.

Here are some initial responses:

NATO

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed the explosion in Poland's east with Polish President Andrzej Duda.

On Twitter, he expressed his condolences for the loss of life. "NATO is monitoring the situation, and allies are consulting closely, as it is essential that all facts be established."

A spokesperson stated that Stoltenberg will hold urgent discussions with alliance ambassadors on Wednesday.

Tomorrow, the Secretary-General will preside over an emergency meeting of NATO ambassadors to discuss this tragic incident, according to Oana Lungescu, a spokesperson for NATO.

US

Pat Ryder, a spokesperson for the Pentagon, stated that the United States was "investigating" media reports but was unable to confirm them.

Ukraine

Ukraine demanded that NATO members convene an "immediate" summit to impose severe sanctions on Moscow.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted, "A collective response to Russian actions must be tough and principled. Among immediate actions: a NATO summit with Ukraine's participation to craft further joint actions, which will force Russia to change its course on escalation, and providing Ukraine with modern aircraft."

Russia

The Russian minister of defense dismissed rumors that Russian missiles had landed in Poland as a "provocation" meant to escalate tensions.

"Polish media and government officials' claims that Russian missiles have struck Polish territory are a deliberate provocation designed to escalate the situation," the Russian defense minister said on Telegram.

EU

Charles Michel, president of the European Council, stated that Europe stands with Poland and will propose a coordination meeting with EU leaders attending the G20 Summit in Bali on Wednesday.

Michel tweeted, "I am in contact with Polish authorities, members of the European Council, and other allies."

France

The Elysee Palace told the AFP news agency that French President Emmanuel Macron called for talks to be held at the G20 summit currently taking place in Indonesia.

The French presidency stated that efforts were underway to "explore the possibility of a discussion tomorrow morning at the level of leaders... given the presence of all of our major European partners and major allies at the G20" summit, which Macron will attend.

Hungary

Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary, convened the national defense council.

"In response to the halt in oil transfer through the Druzhba pipeline and the missile striking Polish territory, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has convened the Hungarian Defense Council for 8 p.m. (1900 GMT)," tweeted the prime minister's spokesman, Zoltan Kovacs.

Canada

Canada has acknowledged knowledge of an explosion.

Canadian Foreign Ministry spokesman Adrien Blanchard stated, "We are monitoring the situation and in contact with Poland and other partners regarding this matter."

Germany

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that Germany is monitoring the situation in Poland closely and is in contact with Warsaw and its NATO allies.

Baerbock tweeted, "My thoughts are with Poland, our close ally and neighbor."

UK

Foreign Minister James Cleverly stated that Britain is "urgently" investigating reports of missiles landing in Poland and is "in contact with our Polish friends and NATO allies."

Latvia

The Latvian Minister of Defense, Artis Pabriks, stated that NATO could provide air defenses for Poland and "part of Ukraine's territory."

"One possibility would be an agreement between NATO member states and Poland regarding the provision of additional anti-aircraft defense, including on a portion of Ukraine's territory," he tweeted.

"Deliberately or unknowingly caused - such a situation is unacceptable," he tweeted, having previously claimed, without evidence, that the explosions were caused by Russian missiles landing on Polish soil.

Lithuania

Wednesday at 07:00 GMT, the president and prime minister of Lithuania will discuss regional security with officials, according to their respective press offices.

Publish : 2022-11-16 08:08:00

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