In a dramatic escalation of Western involvement in the Ukraine conflict, Poland's top diplomat has revealed that Warsaw is actively considering shooting down Russian missiles heading towards Ukrainian territory while they are still in Ukrainian airspace.
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski's startling admission comes amid growing European anxiety about Donald Trump's potential return to the White House and his recent comments suggesting he would encourage Russia to attack NATO members who fail to meet defence spending targets.
Unprecedented Military Considerations
During an exclusive interview with British media, Mr Sikorski stated that Poland is "looking at all options" regarding Russian missiles that approach its borders, including the possibility of intercepting them over Ukrainian territory. This would represent a significant escalation in NATO's direct involvement in the conflict.
"We are exploring various scenarios because the attacks are becoming increasingly brazen," Mr Sikorski explained. "When a missile is heading towards our territory, we have the right to defend ourselves."
Trump's NATO Comments Send Shockwaves
The Polish minister's revelations come against the backdrop of heightened tensions within the alliance following Donald Trump's controversial remarks at a South Carolina rally. The former president recounted how he allegedly told a NATO leader that he would "encourage" Russia to do "whatever the hell they want" to countries that don't meet defence spending commitments.
Mr Sikorski delivered a scathing response to Trump's comments, describing them as "sobering" and suggesting they should serve as a wake-up call for European nations to increase their defence capabilities regardless of American political developments.
European Defence Awakening
The Polish foreign minister emphasised that Europe must prepare for all possible scenarios, including a potential reduction in American support under a second Trump administration. "We cannot depend entirely on the United States," Mr Sikorski stated. "European security requires European commitment."
This position reflects growing concerns among NATO's eastern flank members who feel particularly vulnerable to Russian aggression. Poland has been one of Ukraine's strongest supporters since the invasion began and has significantly increased its own military spending to over 4% of GDP—well above NATO's 2% target.
The Baltic Sea Incident
Mr Sikorski also addressed last year's incident in which a Russian missile entered Polish airspace before heading back into Ukraine. Warsaw responded by placing its forces on high alert and demanding explanations from Moscow, which claimed the breach was accidental.
"Such incidents demonstrate the constant testing of NATO's boundaries," the minister noted. "We must be prepared to respond decisively to any threat to our territorial integrity."
As the war in Ukraine approaches its third year, Mr Sikorski's comments signal a potential shift in how NATO members near the conflict zone might respond to continued Russian aggression, while the spectre of Trump's possible return adds another layer of complexity to European security calculations.
