On Wednesday, Polish and Dutch fighter jets scrambled to shoot down Russian drones violating Poland’s airspace. Polish police say that fragments of 16 drones have been found across eastern Poland.
The incident was one of the most serious violations ever of a NATO country’s sovereignty and was perceived in Europe as a military and political test from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Poland invoked NATO’s Article 4, summoning allies to discuss the situation.
Washington’s response was initially muted, with Trump posting a cryptic message on his Truth Social platform: “What’s with Russia violating Poland’s airspace with drones? Here we go!”
On Thursday, the U.S. president then cast doubt on whether Russia’s drone incursion was even intentional. “It could have been a mistake. It could have been a mistake, but also I’m not happy with anything regarding that situation,” he said.
According to WELT, a sister publication of POLITICO in the Axel Springer Group, five drones were on a direct flight path toward a NATO base before being intercepted by Dutch Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets.
Other leaders are in line with Poland’s view.