NATO to meet on Wednesday at Poland's request

NATO ambassadors will meet on Wednesday at Poland's request under Article 4 of the alliance. The reason for the meeting is an explosion in Poland close to the Ukrainian border, reportedly caused by a stray Russian missile. The blast killed two people. US president Joe Biden, however, said there are indications that the missile was an anti-aircraft missile originating from Ukraine.

According to Article 4 of NATO's founding treaty, allies can hold consultations among themselves if one of its member states sees a threat to the integrity of its territory, political independence or security. One of the diplomats said the alliance would proceed cautiously and needs time to ascertain precisely how the incident could have happened.

In Poland, the foreign ministry confirmed overnight that a "Russian-made missile" had struck Polish territory. However, which country fired the missile is not yet apparent.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of an escalation after the deadly missile strike. Speaking from the G20 summit on the Indonesian island of Bali, the Portuguese politician expressed his "deep concern". "It is essential to prevent an escalation of the war in Ukraine," he said in a short communiqué circulated by his spokesman.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Biden said preliminary information shows it is "unlikely" the rocket was launched from Russian territory.

The leaders of the G7 countries already met early on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the G20 summit, for emergency consultations surrounding the deadly missile attack. There are indications that the missile which hit Poland was an anti-aircraft missile from Ukraine, American president Biden said during the emergency meeting. Biden spoke of an S-300 launch missile. Briefing reporters after the meeting, he said preliminary information shows it is "unlikely" the rocket was launched from Russian territory.

Warsaw earlier confirmed that the missile was Russian-made, but that it is unclear who fired it. Both Ukraine and Russia use Soviet-era missiles. Both Ukraine and Russia use Soviet-era missiles.

Ukraine is urging the West to establish a no-fly zone after the deadly missile strike on Polish territory.

(BRV)

^{US president Joe Biden © PHOTO SAUL LOEB / AFP}