Poland suggests NATO impose no-fly zone over Ukraine against Russian drones

Poland has been facing increasing drone incursions into its airspace, attributed to Russian military activities. On a recent occasion, Polish airspace was breached by several Russian drones, prompting immediate action by Polish and Dutch fighter jets, with support from Italian and German forces under NATO's multinational framework. The interception lasted several hours, during which the Polish interior ministry reported a total of 16 drones discovered. Radoslaw Sikorski, Poland's foreign minister, confirmed that NATO's enhanced air defenses played a critical role in counteracting the threat. Sikorski's remarks, made in an interview with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine, propose that NATO states should assess the feasibility of a no-fly zone over Ukraine. He cited the need for greater protection for Polish citizens from potential threats like drone debris and expressed that action taken within Ukrainian territory would be advantageous for Poland. This proposal comes in the context of heightened fears regarding Russian aggressions, as previous discussions among NATO allies about implementing a no-fly zone over Ukraine had been sidelined due to concerns of escalating the conflict. Sikorski emphasized that the decision rests with NATO allies as a collective and cannot be unilaterally decided by Poland. The history of Russian drone activities in the region has become a critical issue for NATO member nations, further complicating the security landscape in Eastern Europe. Overall, Sikorski's recent statement underscores Poland's seriousness about defending its airspace and supporting Ukraine against Russian incursions while also advocating for continued discussions among NATO allies about strategic air defense options.