Poland will shoot down objects in clear-cut airspace violations, prime minister says
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Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland would take a more cautious approach to situations that are less clear-cut.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
- Poland will shoot down threatening objects violating its airspace without hesitation, says PM Tusk.
- Tusk urges caution in unclear situations, like Russian jets near Petrobaltic, fearing conflict escalation.
- Estonia claims Russian jets violated its airspace; Russia denies it, heightening NATO tension.
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WARSAW - Nato member Poland will not hesitate to shoot down objects that violate its airspace and pose a threat, but will take a more cautious approach to situations that are less clear-cut, the prime minister said on Sept 22.
Estonia said three Russian fighter jets violated its airspace
The United Nations Security Council is due to meet on Sept 22 to discuss the incident.
Russia said on Sept 22 the claim its jets violated Estonian airspace was false and designed to stir up tension.
The alleged incursion over Estonia came after more than 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace
“We will take the decision to shoot down flying objects when they violate our territory and fly over Poland - there is absolutely no discussion about that,” Mr Donald Tusk told a news conference.
“When we’re dealing with situations that aren’t entirely clear, such as the recent flight of Russian fighter jets over the Petrobaltic platform - but without any violation, because these aren’t our territorial waters - you really need to think twice before deciding on actions that could trigger a very acute phase of conflict,” he added.
Mr Tusk said that he would also need to be certain that Poland would not be alone if a conflict started to escalate.
“I also need to be absolutely certain... that all allies will treat this in exactly the same way as we do,” he said. REUTERS
