Belgium summons Russian ambassador over drones in Poland
Belgium summoned the Russian ambassador on Thursday afternoon over the violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones, according to a statement from the Foreign ministry.
“At the request of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, the Russian chargé d'affaires and the appointed ambassador were summoned to the Foreign Ministry," the statement read.
During the meeting, Belgium condemned the "deliberate violation" of the airspace of a Member State of the European Union "in the strongest terms".
'Aggressive and reckless'
“This aggressive and reckless act constitutes a new, serious escalation by Russia towards the EU and NATO. It directly endangers the security of our citizens, regional stability, and international peace," the ministry said.
The ministry demanded that Russia immediately cease all violations of the airspace of EU and NATO member states, as well as "any military provocation that could increase tensions in Europe" and "any action that fuels regional instability and undermines collective security".
Belgium also expressed its full solidarity with Poland and its continued support for the country in protecting its eastern border. Belgian military personnel assisted in the operation against Russian drones that entered Polish airspace on Tuesday night.
Sweden summons ambassador
Moscow has appointed a new ambassador to Belgium, but he has not yet officially taken up his post, pending the presentation of his credentials. For this reason, the chargé d'affaires was also summoned.
"Russia's violations are unacceptable and pose a threat to Europe's security"
The Swedish Foreign ministry announced on Thursday that it had also summoned the Russian ambassador to protest against the incursion of drones into Polish airspace.
"Russia's violations are unacceptable and pose a threat to Europe's security," said Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard in a statement.
UN emergency meeting
The UN Security Council will meet on Friday at the request of Poland to discuss the situation, the South Korean presidency of the Council announced on Thursday. Several members of the Security Council support the session, including France and the United Kingdom.
Poland hopes that the emergency meeting will “draw the world’s attention to this unprecedented Russian drone attack on a member of the UN, EU and NATO”, said Foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski.
Germany announced that it would increase its efforts to protect NATO's eastern border
Poland and its allies described the incursion as deliberate, while Moscow denies this. Warsaw is pushing to strengthen the military capacity of the EU and NATO on its territory.
Germany announced on Thursday that it would increase its efforts to protect NATO's eastern border. The country intends to "extend and expand" German fighter jet surveillance of Polish airspace, according to government spokesman Stefan Kornelius.
A house in Wyrzyki, Poland, damaged by debris from a Russian drone that entered Polish airspace © PHOTO FORUM
Related news
