Former President Donald Trump has voiced his initial response to the recent drone incursion by Russia into Polish airspace, an act that has been widely condemned by Poland's military and various European leaders as an unprecedented violation. On his social media platform, Trump expressed his concerns, stating, "What's with Russia violating Poland's airspace with drones? Here we go!"
According to a White House official who spoke to ABC News, Trump is scheduled to have a conversation with Polish President Karol Nawrocki on Wednesday. The official also noted that both Trump and the White House are closely monitoring reports emerging from Poland regarding this serious incident.
Poland's Prime Minister has revealed that at least 19 Russian drones violated Polish airspace overnight. This aggressive action has prompted NATO to respond, leading to the deployment of two Polish F-16 fighter jets and two Dutch F-35 aircraft to intercept and potentially shoot down the drones. According to Colonel Martin L. O'Donnell, a spokesperson for Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, this incident marks the first occasion in NATO's history where allied fighter jets have engaged targets within their own airspace.
Just last week, during a bilateral meeting with President Nawrocki at the White House, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to support Poland's defense. "We're with Poland all the way," he stated, emphasizing the United States' dedication to its ally in the face of external threats.
In a news conference on Wednesday, Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski delivered a strong message directed at Trump, expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of Trump's previous peace efforts. "Putin laughs at President Trump's peace efforts," Sikorski stated, adding that since the Alaska summit, the situation has only escalated. "I hope that Trump backs his words with action," he urged.
In light of the overnight drone incursion, Matthew Whitaker, the U.S. Ambassador to NATO, took to social media platform X to convey a strong message of solidarity. He stated, "We stand by our NATO Allies in the face of these airspace violations and will defend every inch of NATO territory." This declaration reinforces the United States' commitment to the defense of its NATO allies amidst rising tensions with Russia.
This is an evolving situation, and updates will continue to unfold as more information becomes available.
