Lublin Triangle foreign ministers condemn drone incursions into Poland

ISTANBUL

The top diplomats of the Lublin Triangle on Thursday condemned Russian drone incursions into Poland earlier this week.

“This was a deliberate and coordinated strike constituting an unprecedented provocation and escalation of tension,” said a statement from the foreign ministers of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine, which make up the regional alliance established in 2020.

The statement said Russia’s military actions and Belarus’ consent to the use of its airspace “pose a direct threat to the security of all nations in the region,” and joint coordinated responses is the only thing that can guarantee the safety of their citizens.

It conveyed appreciation to Ukraine for its readiness to share intelligence and operational data with Poland, Lithuania, and other partners in building an effective early warning system against Russian airstrikes.

The statement noted the need for better coordination and operational cooperation between bodies responsible for air defense, and urged partners to bolster Ukraine’s air defense and support Lithuania and Poland in their efforts to secure NATO and the EU’s eastern flank.

“Only adequate and strong response will prevent further escalation,” it said, arguing that the incident triggered a surge of “Russian disinformation.”

“Together, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine reaffirm that unity, strength and cooperation -- notably with our allies and partners in NATO and the EU -- are the only ways to effectively counter Russian aggression and safeguard the security of our people,” it added.

Poland said Wednesday that its airspace was violated by drones amid overnight airstrikes between Russia and Ukraine, defining the incursion as an “act of aggression.”

Prime Minister Donald Tusk defined the drones as “Russian,” and authorities initially recorded 19 airspace violations.

The Russian Defense Ministry denied any intention to strike targets on Polish territory during the attacks, which it claimed targeted enterprises of Kyiv’s military-industrial complex in western Ukraine.

It also expressed Moscow’s readiness to discuss the incident with officials from Warsaw.​​​​​​​