Brussels, Sept 15: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has pledged continued support for Ukraine after Russian drone attacks were reported near Poland’s border with Ukraine.
Speaking on Monday, Rutte said the 32-member military alliance would not back down from supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia. He also said NATO would further strengthen its own defences along its eastern flank bordering Russia.
Russian drones targeted a train near the Ukraine-Poland border on Sunday, while another attack occurred near a separate border crossing.
According to Ukraine’s state railway operator, the attacks took place just minutes after a diplomatic delegation, including former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, had passed through the station.
Rutte said the attacks on trains near NATO territory showed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “desperation” and an attempt to spread fear. He said Russia was becoming increasingly reckless as it continued its war against Ukraine.
Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak Kamysz said on Monday that Polish troops had found what appeared to be a Russian military drone near the Baltic Sea coastal village of Jaroslawiec.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the attacks near Poland’s border were intended to frighten Western countries into reducing their support for Ukraine. She said Europe must demonstrate that it would not be intimidated.
Asked about the attacks on the railway, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian forces were conducting operations “throughout the entire territory of Ukraine” and would continue them.
Poland fears wider spillover
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned that Russia could intensify its military campaign against western Ukraine, raising concerns that the conflict could spill into Polish territory.
Speaking after a security meeting in Warsaw on Sunday, Tusk said Russia could carry out increasingly intense activities in the coming weeks and months, with possible consequences for Poland.
Polish officials said intelligence reports, including information received from the US Central Intelligence Agency last week, indicated that Russia could target areas along Ukraine’s borders and increase sabotage operations in European countries.
They believe such actions could be aimed at discouraging countries supporting Ukraine.
Tusk said Poland would consult NATO allies on preparations for a possible joint response.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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