Our [NATO] air defenses were activated and successfully ensured the
defense of NATO territory, as they are designed to do. Several Allies were
involved alongside Poland. This included
Polish F16s,
Dutch F35s,
Italian AWACS
[Airborne Early Warning and Control],
NATO Multi Role Tanker Transport, and German
Patriots. I commend the pilots and
all who contributed to this quick and skillful response.
The
North Atlantic Council met this morning and discussed the situation in light
of Poland’s requests for
consultations under Article 4 of the
Washington Treaty.
Allies expressed solidarity with Poland and denounced Russia’s reckless
behavior. A full assessment of the incident is ongoing. What is clear is that
the violation last night is not an isolated incident.
The
Supreme Allied Commander will continue to actively manage our deterrence and
defense posture along the entire eastern flank. Allies are resolved to defend
every inch of Allied territory. We will closely monitor the situation along our
eastern flank, our air defenses continually at the ready.
This only reinforces the importance of NATO and the path to which Allies agreed
at our
Summit in The Hague earlier this year. We need to invest more in our
defense, ramp up defense production so we have what we need to deter and defend;
and we need to continue to support Ukraine, whose security is interlinked with
our own.
And let me conclude by saying that Russia is waging a dangerous war of
aggression against Ukraine that continually targets civilians and civilian
infrastructure. Allies are determined to step up their support for Ukraine in
the face of Russia's escalating campaign.
With that, I'm going to take one or two questions.
Andrew Gray, Reuters:
Secretary General, thank you very much; Andrew Gray from Reuters. Do you have
any initial assessment of the intent behind this incident? Was it a deliberate
attack, a deliberate incursion, or a mistake? And do you have any particular
message for Russia, for President Putin about this incident?
NATO Secretary General: Yes, as I said, a
full assessment is ongoing. But of course, whether it was intentionally or not,
it is absolutely reckless. It is absolutely danger[ous]. But as I said, the full
assessment is ongoing.
And to Putin, I mean, my message is clear: Stop
the war in Ukraine. Stop the escalating war, which he is now basically mounting
on innocent civilians and civilian infrastructure. Stop violating Allied
airspace. And know that we stand ready, that we are vigilant, and that we will
defend every inch of NATO territory.
Andrew Gray, Reuters: Well, one more if I
may. Does this tell you anything about the state of NATO's air defenses,
particularly when it comes to drones, a relatively new threat? Does NATO need to
do more to better protect against drones?
NATO Secretary General: I think what
we have seen last night was a very successful reaction by NATO and Allies,
including of course, Poland itself, but also the Dutch and the Italians and the
Germans, everybody involved. And I'm really impressed. So, of course, we always
have to make sure that we are one step ahead. But I think last night showed that
we are able to defend every ench -- inch of NATO territory including, of course, its
airspace.
Thank you so much.
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