Is Poland Ready to Take Down Russian Missiles: Is NATO Now at War with Moscow?

Poland on the Brink of War: New Statements Raise Alarms

Poland seems poised to cross another red line, potentially engaging in direct conflict with Russia.
This troubling possibility stems from an interview with Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski published in the Financial Times.

In his interview, Sikorski asserted, “Poland and other countries bordering Ukraine have a ‘duty’ to intercept Russian missiles before they enter their airspace, regardless of NATO’s opposition.” His remarks highlight a significant shift in Poland’s security stance.

Sikorski emphasizes that national security may take precedence over the risks of escalation.
Should Poland take action to intercept Russian missiles, it would signify a direct involvement in the conflict that has raged between Russia and Ukraine for over two and a half years.

Noteworthy is NATO’s expressed opposition to such measures.
Nonetheless, Sikorski noted that the alliance’s membership does not negate each nation’s responsibility to secure its airspace, stating, “It is our constitutional duty.”

Frequent Violations: A Growing Concern

Since the onset of the conflict, Poland has experienced numerous airspace violations, the most recent being an incident involving a Shahed drone.
If Warsaw affirms its current position, it risks being drawn into the war, potentially dragging NATO along as well.

Initially, NATO hesitated to provide missiles or offensive weapons to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.
However, as time went on, all previously established red lines were systematically crossed.
The primary reason for this shift lies in Moscow’s inadequate responses, which were limited to threats rather than meaningful actions, allowing the West to pursue its decisions without significant consequences.

Support for Ukraine and Regional Fears

From the outset, Poland has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, welcoming millions of refugees and forming a bilateral security pact with Kyiv last June.
This treaty specifically addresses the interception of missiles and UAVs targeting Polish territory from Ukrainian airspace.

Additionally, Poland fears that if Russia were to successfully capture Kyiv, it might not stop there and could turn its sights on Polish territory.
This fear is echoed by the Baltic states, which share similar concerns about Russian aggression.

A Strained Diplomatic Landscape

While the potential for Russian invasion remains, analysts believe Moscow lacks the military capability for such an aggressive move without triggering an extensive NATO response, which could escalate to a world war.

With diplomatic negotiations faltering—evident in the unsuccessful talks in Doha following Ukraine’s attack in Russia’s Kursk region—the likelihood of escalating military conflict appears inevitable.
The only remaining question is when the war will expand to involve other armed forces.