Washington, DC – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on Russia’s violation of Polish airspace with at least 19 drones:
“Vladimir Putin has once again demonstrated that his ambitions do not end with Ukraine, but the broader destabilization of the NATO alliance. His objectives have been aided and abetted by Donald Trump's refusal to hold Russia accountable for its war against Ukraine and his continuous undermining of NATO allies have emboldened Putin to test the alliance with this unprecedented violation of Polish airspace.
“Let us be clear that this latest development, which provoked the first airborne engagement of a threat in allied airspace since NATO’s inception in 1949, is nothing short of Vladimir Putin poking at the alliance’s defenses to test its resolve. Thankfully, NATO responded swiftly and forcefully to the Russian incursion, and I commend the forces and nations who participated in the interception.
“If Donald Trump wants to prove that he is not in Putin’s pocket, then he should respond to this action by unequivocally calling out Russia as the aggressor – including in Ukraine – and express America’s unwavering support for NATO. He should impose swift and devastating sanctions on Russia. And he should support Ukraine and our NATO allies in defense of territorial sovereignty and democratic values. Anything short will certainly invite more reckless acts of aggression by the Kremlin. This isn’t peace through strength – this is appeasement and weakness.”
“Vladimir Putin has once again demonstrated that his ambitions do not end with Ukraine, but the broader destabilization of the NATO alliance. His objectives have been aided and abetted by Donald Trump's refusal to hold Russia accountable for its war against Ukraine and his continuous undermining of NATO allies have emboldened Putin to test the alliance with this unprecedented violation of Polish airspace.
“Let us be clear that this latest development, which provoked the first airborne engagement of a threat in allied airspace since NATO’s inception in 1949, is nothing short of Vladimir Putin poking at the alliance’s defenses to test its resolve. Thankfully, NATO responded swiftly and forcefully to the Russian incursion, and I commend the forces and nations who participated in the interception.
“If Donald Trump wants to prove that he is not in Putin’s pocket, then he should respond to this action by unequivocally calling out Russia as the aggressor – including in Ukraine – and express America’s unwavering support for NATO. He should impose swift and devastating sanctions on Russia. And he should support Ukraine and our NATO allies in defense of territorial sovereignty and democratic values. Anything short will certainly invite more reckless acts of aggression by the Kremlin. This isn’t peace through strength – this is appeasement and weakness.”