NATO is urged to respond firmly to Vladimir Putin’s recent intrusion into Poland to remove the smirk from the Kremlin leader’s face, according to an expert. Last night, a group of 19 Russian suicide drones violated Polish airspace, which is a NATO member state, before being intercepted en route to Ukraine. Poland successfully defended against the drones using its strong air defense systems but condemned Moscow for its reckless aggression that endangered Polish citizens.
In response, Poland has activated Article 4, potentially prompting NATO allies to come to Warsaw’s aid after citing a breach of territorial sovereignty by an aggressor. Russia has attempted to distance itself from the incident, claiming the drones were not meant for Poland but for locations in western Ukraine bordering Poland. Russia has expressed willingness to engage with the Polish Ministry of Defence regarding the alleged airspace violations.
Professor Anthony Glees, an expert in European defense and security, has cautioned that the current situation represents one of the most perilous weeks in September since the outbreak of World War II in 1939 when Hitler launched an unprovoked attack on Poland. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, suggesting that a third world war could be imminent unless Russia is confronted promptly, likening the current state of affairs to the lead-up to past global conflicts.
According to Prof Glees, Putin’s boldness stems from his perception of Western leadership as weak and indecisive. He pointed out the perceived lack of resolve from key Western nations, notably the U.S., France, the UK, and Germany, which may embolden Putin’s aggressive actions. Prof Glees stressed the importance of halting Putin’s advances to prevent a further escalation of tensions and potential global conflict.