The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has ruled out any possibility of Poland intercepting Russian missiles over Ukrainian territory. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that the alliance does not wish to become directly involved in the conflict with Russia. This stance was reiterated during a recent NATO summit held in Washington.
Ukraine had urged NATO member Warsaw to use its air defense capabilities to protect western Ukraine without moving the systems away from Polish soil. The idea of using air defenses was discussed within the context of a bilateral security agreement between Poland and Ukraine, and aimed at preventing Russian missiles from reaching Ukrainian territory.
However, Stoltenberg clarified in an interview with Ukrainian state television that NATO’s position remains unchanged. The best support that Kiev can expect from NATO is help targeting Russian warplanes using weapon systems operated by Ukrainian forces. Previously, NATO member states, including Poland, rejected the notion of intercepting Russian missiles over Ukraine.
Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that Warsaw would not engage Russian missiles without the backing of other NATO members. He stated, “If NATO does not make such a decision, Poland will not make it individually.
US national security adviser Jake Sullivan also supported the idea of providing air defenses to Kiev as the most effective method of stopping Russian aerial attacks when questioned about Poland’s stance at last week’s NATO summit.
Moscow continues to view the conflict in Ukraine as part of a US-led proxy war, with NATO nations participating in various ways except for directly engaging Russian forces on the battlefield. Russian officials argue that Western involvement in the conflict means they share responsibility for Ukrainian war crimes.