NATO ambassadors agreed to stay vigilant, calm, closely coordinated, and to monitor the situation, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday, emphasising the readiness of NATO to do what is necessary to protect the allies.
NATO ambassadors met to address the missile explosion the day before in Przewodów near the Ukrainian border, killing two people. Investigations are underway to determine the circumstances of the incident.
“We have no indication that this was the result of a deliberate attack, and we have no indication that Russia is preparing offensive military actions against NATO,” Stoltenberg told the press briefing after the meeting.
He confirmed the reports by the Polish media that, according to the preliminary analysis, the incident was likely caused by a Ukrainian air defence missile fired to destroy a Russian missile.
“But let me be clear: this is not Ukraine’s fault. Russia bears ultimate responsibility as it continues its illegal war against Ukraine,” clarified Stoltenberg.
Poland is considering launching the North Atlantic Treaty Article 4 procedure, stating that the allies consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of them is threatened.
Still, it seems it may not be necessary to use that measure since there were no signs of an intentional attack on Poland, said Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.
(Aleksandra Krzysztoszek | EURACTIV.pl)
Source: euractiv.com
