Warsaw, Sep 15:
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Monday that recent Russian drone strikes near the Ukraine-Poland border would push the military alliance to increase its support for Kyiv and strengthen its own defences along its eastern flank.
Rutte said the Russian strikes on trains in Ukraine close to NATO territory demonstrated what he described as Moscow’s growing desperation and its willingness to spread fear. He warned that Russia was becoming increasingly reckless as its war against Ukraine continued.
“He thinks that he can stop us from supporting Ukraine and that he can undermine our unity. He is wrong,” Rutte said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He pledged continued support for Ukraine while also promising stronger defensive measures along NATO’s eastern border.
Rutte’s comments came after Poland announced plans to increase security along its border with Ukraine following a wave of Russian drone attacks near the frontier. Two drones reportedly landed within kilometres of Polish territory, adding to concerns over the possibility of the conflict spilling closer to NATO territory.
The latest developments are likely to further strengthen calls within the alliance for tighter air and drone defences along its eastern flank. NATO has repeatedly stressed that attacks affecting territory close to member states could have wider security implications for the alliance.