NATO admits possibility of destroying Russian missiles near allies' borders - Polish MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister of Poland Andrzej Szejna told RMF FM.

According to the diplomat, the recent violation of Polish airspace by a Russian missile was a test of the strength of the defense and vigilance of the Polish Armed Forces.

Szejna said that NATO is considering the possibility of shooting down Russian missiles.

"NATO is analyzing various concepts, including that such missiles should be shot down when they are very close to the NATO border - but this should be done with the consent of the Ukrainian side and taking into account international consequences. In this case, NATO missiles would hit Russian missiles outside the territory of the Treaty (Alliance - ed.)," the diplomat said.

He emphasized that the aggressor should not impose any rules on the Alliance.

"It has to get used to the fact that the NATO side, the democratic side, the EU side will start setting a certain tone when it comes to resolving the conflict in Ukraine," Szejna said.

"We take Putin's threats very seriously. He has shown that he is capable of anything," the deputy minister added.

• A Russian missile violated Polish airspace on March 24.
• Poland said it ignored the air target on its territory because an attempt to shoot down the missile would have posed a “greater risk to local residents.”
• At the same time, Lithuania expressed its belief that Russian missiles in NATO airspace should be shot down.