EditEuropean capitals summon Russian ambassadors over drone violations of Polish airspace
The coordinated diplomatic push underscores Europe’s alarm in what appears as a new stage in the Kremlin’s strategy of provocation
Several European governments summoned Russian ambassadors on in response to what Poland called an “unprecedented” violation of its airspace by Russian drones.
Belgium, Sweden, the Netherlands, Czechia, France, Romania and Spain all lodged formal protests, condemning the incursion as a reckless escalation that threatens NATO’s collective security. Germany, for its part, announced it would expand air patrols along the Alliance’s eastern flank, while Warsaw secured an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
The coordinated diplomatic push underscored Europe’s alarm at the incident, which saw Polish and allied forces shoot down several drones overnight Tuesday to Wednesday, though others penetrated deep into Polish territory. Moscow has denied deliberately targeting Poland, framing the strikes as part of its campaign in Ukraine, but EU leaders insist Russia is testing NATO’s resolve. With air traffic restrictions imposed over Poland’s eastern borders and allies pledging solidarity, the confrontation marks a new stage in the Kremlin’s strategy of provocation.
Belgium’s protest and solidarity with Poland
Belgium was among the first to act, summoning both the Russian chargé d’affaires and the newly appointed ambassador, who has not yet presented his credentials, at the request of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot. In its statement, the Foreign Ministry condemned the “deliberate violation” of an EU member state’s airspace “in the strongest terms,” describing the drone incursion as an “aggressive and reckless act” that represents a serious escalation by Russia towards the EU and NATO. The Blgian authorities demanded that Moscow immediately cease all violations and provocations that threaten regional stability, while reaffirming “full solidarity with Poland” and recalling Belgium’s military contribution to downing the drones that crossed into Polish territory.
Sweden: violations threaten Europe’s security
The Swedish Foreign Ministry also summoned the Russian ambassador on Thursday, with Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard declaring that “Russia’s violations are unacceptable and pose a threat to Europe’s security.” Stockholm stressed Poland’s right to assert territorial integrity and defend its airspace, aligning itself with Warsaw and other allies.
UN Security Council session
The diplomatic protests come ahead of an emergency session of the UN Security Council, scheduled for Friday at Poland’s request. Warsaw hopes the meeting, supported by France, the UK and other members, will draw global attention to what it branded an “unprecedented” Russian drone attack on a member of the UN, EU and NATO. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said the session is necessary to highlight the scale of the threat.
Germany strengthens NATO’s eastern border
Berlin added weight to the response, with government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius announcing that Germany would “extend and expand” its fighter jet surveillance of Polish airspace. The move underlines Germany’s commitment to bolstering NATO’s eastern frontier in light of what Warsaw and its allies describe as deliberate Kremlin provocations.
Germany also issued protests by summoning the Russian ambassador.
Netherlands and Czechia join protests
In The Hague, Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel confirmed that he summoned the Russian ambassador after drones entered Polish airspace. “Russia’s reckless violation of Polish airspace threatens our European security. That is why I had the Russian ambassador summoned today,” Van Weel wrote on X.
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský took the same step, summoning Ambassador Alexander Zmeyevsky on Thursday afternoon. “Russian drones in Poland are a pure Kremlin provocation. Czechia firmly supports Poland. We will defend the territory of the Alliance,” Lipavský declared. The Russian envoy spent around 15 minutes at the Czech Foreign Ministry, with spokesperson Daniel Drake later stressing that NATO would not tolerate such provocations.
France to summon ambassador, deploy jets
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the Russian ambassador would be summoned on Friday. Speaking on France Inter radio, he condemned the incident as “absolutely unacceptable,” whether intentional or not. He framed the drone strike as a deliberate Russian strategy “to intimidate us, to test us.” President Emmanuel Macron separately announced that France would deploy three fighter jets to help protect Polish airspace, tasked with detecting and destroying drones that threaten the territory. Barrot added that “other countries will follow.”
Romania’s firm condemnation
The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian ambassador in Bucharest on Thursday, calling the drone incident “an unprecedented escalation” and a threat to the security of citizens of a NATO ally and Romania’s strategic partner. The ministry also recalled earlier Russian attacks on Ukrainian targets near Romania’s borders, stressing the risks to Black Sea stability and the imperative of respecting international law. President Nicușor Dan voiced solidarity with Poland, highlighting Romania’s participation in NATO consultations under Article 4 and its readiness to respond to similar threats.
Romania’s neighbour Bulgaria just reaffirmed its support in a message posted online: “Bulgaria stands together in full solidarity with our ally Poland. Russia’s repeated intrusions into NATO airspace are a threat to Euro-Atlantic security. Such actions will be met with decisive measures to protect the Alliance.” It was not reported that the Russian ambassador had been summoned.
Spain adds to European pressure
Madrid joined the protests, summoning the Russian embassy’s chargé d’affaires to the Foreign Ministry. According to Spanish media, the démarche followed the shooting down of several suspected Russian drones by Polish and NATO forces—a first for the Alliance during the war in Ukraine. Spain’s action underscored its support for Poland’s eastern flank security.
Heightened NATO readiness and Polish response
Warsaw reported that drones violated its airspace 19 times in what it called an “unprecedented” attack on Poland, NATO, and the EU. At least three drones were shot down, with no casualties and limited damage. NATO allies scrambled jets in response, with the EU and Ukraine both describing the incident as a test of the Alliance’s resolve.
In response, Poland introduced sweeping restrictions on civilian flights along its eastern border with Belarus and Ukraine. New rules ban flights from sunrise to sunset in the designated restricted zone without prior clearance, while from sunset to sunrise only military aircraft are permitted. Civilian drones are banned around the clock.
U.S. cautious reaction
The U.S. reaction was more cautious, with President Donald Trump suggesting the incursion may have been a “mistake.” Nevertheless, Poland and its allies emphasised the deliberate nature of the violation.
Sources: Reuters, Guardian, Romania-Insider, Pravda.com, Belga News Agency, edited by k.n.
Caption: File photo. French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot addresses a joint press conference with the Ukrainian foreign minister after their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, 21 July 2025. Barrot said the Russian ambassador would be summoned on 12 September 2025 and condemned the violation of the Polish airspace by Russian drones as “absolutely unacceptable,”EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO
Updated: September 12, 2025 - 16:57
