Poland warns NATO to prepare for deadly Russian hybrid attack

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 10:00 · Archive

Poland's foreign minister says NATO must prepare for a deadly Russian hybrid attack as Moscow escalates sabotage on European soil.

Poland's foreign minister Radosław Sikorski has warned that NATO must prepare for a deadly Russian hybrid attack, as the Kremlin escalates its sabotage campaign on European soil. The risk of casualties is rising as Moscow multiplies its operations to disrupt and destabilise European societies, according to Sikorski.

He told the Financial Times that NATO would need to make a 'judgment' on whether Russian actions have crossed a threshold requiring retaliation. 'The question is what constitutes an attack, a cross-border attack, and as long as it's property... it's one thing, but if people start dying, then we'll have to have another very serious conversation at NATO,' Sikorski said. He acknowledged there is no agreed prior definition of what would trigger a response.

Sikorski declined to specify how the Western alliance should retaliate for a fatality. He noted that Poland and Estonia have already invoked NATO's Article 4, which requests high-level consultations, following airspace incursions by Russian drones and fighter jets. Article 5, NATO's mutual defence clause, would apply if a member sustains an armed attack.

How it is being reported

• Putin 'could push NATO into WW3 with deadly hybrid attack'NATO must prepare for a deadly Russian hybrid attack, according to Poland's foreign minister.Daily Mail · 12 Oct, 09:42
• Nato should prepare for deadly Russian ‘hybrid’ attack, says PolandForeign minister Radosław Sikorski says risk of casualties is rising as Moscow escalates sabotage campaign on European soilFinancial Times · 12 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Radosław Sikorski · NATO · Russia · Poland · Estonia · Europe

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