Poland is experiencing increasing friction with Russia after a recent string of military activity and diplomatic statements have raised alarm. One of Moscow’s demands has been the reopening of Poland’s border with Belarus, where Russian forces are carrying out deepening military exercises. Poland’s Foreign Affairs Minister was among those to issue the most forceful response. When pressed, he stridently denied that any drone strikes were mistakes, stating, “No, that wasn’t a mistake.”
Meanwhile, Belarus and Russia are in the midst of Zapad military exercises. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, in turn, has called these exercises “very aggressive,” intensifying the diplomatic row. In response to these increased military activities, Tusk declared the border closed. Increasing fears of a possible Eastern threat have made this decision all the more relevant as Poland seeks to reinforce its national security.
In a similar development, Russia has blamed Ukraine for targeting a training facility at the country’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with drones. It remains illegally occupied by Russian military today. This title has inadvertently led to heightened scrutiny on airspace violations. Former U.S. President Donald Trump even claimed that some of them were accidents.
“It could have been a mistake.” – Donald Trump
As Fiona Hill, a former White House adviser, recently warned, Russia is probing how far it can push Europe’s NATO defenses. Hill added that it is important that European countries improve their own defense capacities. “Europeans are going to have to realize they will have to do this themselves,” she stated.
In recognition of the urgency of the threat created by escalating Russian military moves, NATO allies are moving quickly and firmly to respond. Germany has announced its intention to “extend and expand” its contribution to NATO’s air policing program to further strengthen the defense of Polish airspace. Later in March, the German government indicated it would double its contribution of Eurofighter jets to four. They made the determination to extend the mission through the end of the year.
The Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Sweden have already led the way. This week, they recalled their Russian ambassadors to denounce the recent drone strike attacks. The timing and the coordinated diplomatic response speaks to a heightened concern among European nations with respect to Russia’s military aggressions.
In Bratislava, thousands gathered to protest a meeting between Slovakian pro-Putin Prime Minister Robert Fico and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing. The protest is an expression of broad anger at what is seen as appeasement of the Kremlin’s top brass.
New Zealand has taken unprecedented and courageous steps against Russia on the global stage. They’ve lowered the price cap on Russian crude oil from $60 to $47.60 a barrel. Broad new sanctions have been rolled out recently, targeting 19 people and organizations associated with Russia. These sanctions apply to 19 vessels connected to the country.
British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper is scheduled to visit Kyiv on Friday. There, she’s expected to unveil a significant £142 million ($193 million) increase in winter support assistance for Ukraine. Cooper looks forward to welcoming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to North Carolina. Beyond that, they’ll empower continued support and collaboration with their peers in other senior officials.
General Sir Richard Barrons has urged NATO allies to “step up quite quickly to improve medium- to low-level air defence,” highlighting the urgency of reinforcing European defense systems in light of recent events.
As tensions continue to rise between Russia and its neighbors, the international community watches closely. The story out of Eastern Europe reflects an extraordinary and extraordinarily confusing geopolitical moment. They point out the vital importance of NATO allies working together on common defense strategies.