Zelenskyy calls for common European air defense system after drone attack on Poland
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (photo: Getty Images)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a conversation with European and NATO leaders, called for the creation of a joint air defense shield. The call took place after the drone attack on Poland, the head of the Ukrainian state reported.
What was discussed
According to Zelenskyy, he had a conversation with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
First of all, the leaders discussed Russian drones that were launched against Ukraine and entered Polish airspace. Zelenskyy noted that incidents with one or two drones had happened before, but this time there were significantly more drones.
At the same time, Russia's audacity is shown in the fact that the UAVs entered Poland not only from the territory of Ukraine but also from Belarus.
"We all equally understand that this is a completely different level of escalation by Russia. There must be an appropriate response," Zelenskyy emphasized.
The President added that, according to Tusk, fragments of Russian drones, including Shaheds, were found in a large number of towns and villages. Ukrainian military personnel have been transmitting all information to their Polish colleagues since the night.
Zelenskyy's proposals
"There are several reasons for such brazen behavior by Russia, and they are absolutely obvious to everyone. We need to work on a joint air defense system and create an effective air shield over Europe. Ukraine has long been proposing this, there are concrete solutions," Zelenskyy noted.
He called for joint responses to all current challenges and for readiness for potential threats to Europe in the future.
Also, according to the President, it is necessary to jointly increase funding for the production of interceptor drones, which have already proven their effectiveness.
The head of the Ukrainian state added that he had offered Poland assistance, training, and experience in destroying Russian drones, including Shaheds. Agreements on military-level cooperation with Tusk are already in place.
Zelenskyy also noted in his evening address that Russia is conducting a disinformation campaign against Poland and Ukraine.
"It is important that strong counteraction be built – the way it should be. Ukraine proposes to defend airspace jointly, in a coordinated and well-thought-out way. We have provided partners with how to do this. The details are clear – how not to allow the war to expand and how to stop Russia's steps toward escalation. The joint forces are absolutely sufficient for this," he specified.
Drone attack on Poland
On the night of September 10, 19 Russian drones attacked Poland.
After the incident, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that targets in Poland allegedly had not been planned for attack.
At the same time, Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to the Head of the Presidential Office, emphasized that such attacks on Poland are a deliberate strategy by Russia.
