Priority target: Russia threatens Poland over US base opening
Photo: Maria Zakharova, Spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry (Getty Images)
Recently, a new US missile defense base, Aegis Ashore, was opened on the territory of Poland. The Russian Federation began threatening Warsaw with a "potential strike", Maria Zakharova, Spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, states.
"The missile defense base in Poland has long been added to the list of priority targets for potential strikes, which can be ensured, if necessary, by a wide range of the latest weapons," Zakharova said.
A spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry also added that the United States allegedly continues to provoke Russia and contribute to "increasing tensions and strategic risks".
US base in Poland
On November 13, the US Aegis Ashore missile defense base was officially opened in the village of Redzikowo, located in the Pomeranian Voivodeship in northern Poland.
Key Polish officials, including President Andrzej Duda, Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak, and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, attended the opening ceremony. Admiral Stuart Munsch of the US Navy and Ambassador Mark Brzezinski visited the event from the US side.
W #Redzikowo z udziałem @prezydentpl @AndrzejDuda, wicepremiera W. @KosiniakKamysz, ministra spraw zagranicznych @sikorskiradek oraz @USAmbPoland rozpoczęła się uroczystość otwarcia bazy Aegis Ashore @USNavy. pic.twitter.com/c4ps1je18k
— Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej (@MON_GOV_PL) November 13, 2024
As Sikorski noted, the idea of establishing the base came from Republican US President George W. Bush. Construction began under Barack Obama's Democratic administration, continued during Donald Trump's presidency, and was completed under the leadership of Joe Biden.
Russia's threats
Russia has repeatedly used rhetoric of threats, including nuclear ones, as a part of its foreign policy, especially since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Kremlin seeks to intimidate both Ukraine and its international allies, demonstrating a readiness to escalate.
In addition to nuclear threats, Russia actively spreads conventional threats, including destabilization efforts in other countries, energy blackmail, and disinformation campaigns.
