After 19 drones cross border, Poland’s Foreign Minister says diplomacy channels stay open

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Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorsky said his country has no plans to sever diplomatic ties with Russia despite recent drone incursions, stating he sees no grounds for such action during a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha in Kyiv.

The Polish foreign minister’s comments came following Russia’s 10 September attack on Ukraine, during which at least 19 drones entered Polish airspace from Belarus in what Polish officials called the first direct incursion from Belarusian territory rather than accidental overflight from Ukraine.

“In diplomacy, communication channels are maintained not only with friends, but also with competitors and opponents. Therefore, as of now, I see no grounds for breaking off relations. The best response to Russian aggression will be solidarity with Ukraine and Western unity,” Sikorsky told journalists, according to Wyborcza.pl.

He explained that current diplomatic relations between Warsaw and Moscow consist of “mutual summons (of embassy heads) and delivery of protest notes,” while Russian diplomats face movement restrictions within Poland. Poland has already limited Russian diplomatic activity in certain voivodeships and called on European partners to reduce their numbers.

Drone incursion called “act of aggression”

Sikorsky characterized the drone intrusion as a “moment of truth” and rejected suggestions the incursion was accidental. “They flew in from Belarus, and it lasted seven hours. Anyone who says these are Ukrainian drones is repeating Russian propaganda,” he said.

Polish operational command of the Armed Forces labeled the 10 September incident an “act of aggression.” For the first time, Poland used aircraft weapons against the drones, temporarily closed four airports, and activated territorial defense reserves in border voivodeships.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk noted this marked the first time drones entered Poland directly from Belarus rather than from Ukraine “as a result of errors or minor Russian provocations.”

Poland invoked NATO Article 4, which provides for consultations when member states believe their territorial integrity, political independence or security faces threats. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it achieved all targets in Ukraine during the night attack and had not planned to strike objects on Polish territory.

Military cooperation expansion

The escalation of Russian attacks on Ukraine demonstrates that Russia is not ready for peace and ceasefire, Sikorsky said. Against this backdrop, Poland is prepared to expand military cooperation with Ukraine.

“Poland was the biggest beneficiary [of aid], and we are ready to provide 40 million euros,” the Polish foreign minister announced.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha responded that Ukraine is ready to assist Poland in countering Russian threats. “Ukraine is already successfully repelling attacks. We need to work on a joint drone defense system,” he said.

Sybiha called for increased pressure on Moscow to achieve peace, specifically expanding sanctions on Russian banks and the “shadow fleet.” He added that he and Sikorsky “touched on the topic of the past” between the two nations, agreeing to facilitate “constructive dialogue on historical issues.”

Russian response and NATO consultation

The drone incident prompted Poland to request NATO Article 4 consultations for the first time regarding Russian actions. Polish territorial defense forces announced they might shorten response times for reservists in voivodeships bordering Ukraine.

Sikorsky also said that the intensification of Russian strikes following Vladimir Putin’s meeting with Donald Trump indicates Russia’s desire to continue its war of aggression.

Following the airspace violation, Polish military personnel will travel to Ukraine to learn drone interception techniques, according to previous reports.