NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday made the first statements after an emergency meeting of the alliance convened in connection with the missile disaster that killed two people on Polish soil.

Jens StoltenbergPhoto: Jan Van De Wel / defense.gov

Main statements of Jens Stoltenberg

  • yesterday’s explosion occurred after Russia launched a massive missile strike on Ukraine;
  • since the start of Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, NATO has increased its vigilance on our eastern flank, and we are constantly monitoring the situation;
  • the investigation of this incident is ongoing, we have to wait for its results, but we have no indication that this was a deliberate attack;
  • we have no signs that Russia is preparing offensive military actions against NATO;
  • our preliminary analysis shows that the incident was likely caused by a Ukrainian air defense missile launched to protect Ukrainian territory from Russian cruise missile attacks;
  • I want to say clearly: it is not Ukraine’s fault, Russia bears full responsibility as it continues its illegal war against Ukraine;
  • NATO Allies emphasized today that we will continue to support Ukraine in its right to self-defense.

Poland talks about an “unfortunate incident” on its territory

As Reuters reports, Jens Stoltenberg’s comment was made after US President Joe Biden informed NATO allies earlier that day that the explosion on Polish territory was caused by a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile.

Speaking ahead of a speech by Jens Stoltenberg, Polish President Andrzej Duda said Wednesday afternoon that a missile that landed in his country and killed two people was “probably an accident.”

Duda also stated at the press conference that there were no signs of a deliberate attack on Poland and that the missile was probably used by Ukrainian air defense.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, on the other hand, said that Poland is still considering the possibility of triggering NATO’s Article 4 procedure, but it seems that it may not be necessary to resort to this measure.

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