NATO on high alert: "This is dangerous and unacceptable"

NATO member states met to discuss recent incursions into the airspace of Poland and Romania, concluding that Russia bears full responsibility for the incidents. The allies expressed solidarity with the two members, with violations of airspace along NATO’s eastern flank the main focus of the meeting.

In recent weeks, several drones have entered Romanian airspace. Romanian President Nicușor Dan said it was unacceptable for the Kremlin to continue violating his country’s airspace.

In Poland, a cruise missile fell on July 29. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk clarified that it was an armed unmanned aerial vehicle, likely Russian, which crashed 50 kilometers from the city of Lublin.

“This incident is yet another reckless act by Russia and a dangerous consequence of its war against Ukraine,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said. 

Romania’s ambassador to NATO, Dan Neculaescu, stressed at the meeting the need for allies to continue investing in military capabilities. According to him, this would enable Bucharest and NATO to defend themselves more effectively.

“I also expressed solidarity with our Polish friends, as we continue coordinating on the eastern flank,” Neculaescu said.

Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said the Alliance had demonstrated clear solidarity and a readiness to take “new steps” to strengthen security, particularly along its eastern borders and in the Baltic Sea.