NATO Responds to Statement on Shooting Down Russian Missiles in Ukraine's Skies

The Deputy Secretary General of NATO, Mircea Gioană, has responded to comments made by Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski regarding the shooting down of missiles over Ukraine, emphasizing that the alliance has a tradition of discussing potentially dangerous decisions. This was stated by the NATO representative in an interview with the Financial Times.

“We respect the sovereign right of each ally to ensure its national security. However, at NATO, we always consult before engaging in something that could have implications for all of us,” he said, highlighting that Poland has always been willing to participate in consultations within the alliance.

He also underscored the necessity for NATO countries to avoid escalation at all costs despite the need to support Kyiv. The Polish Foreign Minister had claimed that it is the Republic's duty to protect its airspace, which requires intercepting Russian missiles aimed at Ukraine. Sikorski noted that the destruction of projectiles would be a legitimate means of self-defense if the Polish army finds that the targets are on a path to enter their airspace.