Kiev says Poland ought to aim to intercept Russian missiles
Kiev has taken issue with the Polish deputy prime minister's accusation that Ukraine is attempting to draw Warsaw into conflict with Moscow. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has criticized Polish Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski for what it termed “unfounded” and “unacceptable” remarks. Gawkowski had previously accused Kiev of trying to involve Poland in the war with Russia. The ministry contended that Poland should recognize that intercepting Russian projectiles over Ukraine aligns with its own security interests.
During a conversation with Polish radio station ZET, Gawkowski expressed disapproval of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's appeals to Western allies for heightened air defense support for Ukraine. “Zelensky wants Poland to shoot down missiles over Ukraine,” the deputy prime minister remarked, emphasizing that such actions would lead Poland into direct conflict with Moscow.
“Zelensky … wants to drag Poland into the war with Russia,” he asserted, voicing his opposition to this notion. Gawkowski also expressed disappointment with Ukraine for what he perceived as ingratitude, given Poland’s support and the ongoing demands for additional help.
“I expect Ukraine … [to] appreciate that [they] have a friend who lent them a hand in difficult times and … not criticize it when it turns out that they want even more,” he stated.
The following day, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry responded, labeling Gawkowski's claims about Ukraine’s intentions as “unfounded.” The ministry deemed such statements “at the very least unacceptable,” especially considering the current circumstances.
“We are convinced that shooting down Russian missiles and drones flying in the direction of Poland over the territory of Ukraine… is in the security interests of Poland itself and its citizens,” the statement asserted, emphasizing that supporting Ukraine in its struggle against “Russian aggression” is “a vital interest of Poland” as well.
The ministry further expressed hopes for “continued active cooperation” from Warsaw, underscoring the importance of solidarity between the two nations and anticipating that the Polish government would share this objective.
For months, Kiev has been urging NATO member states to extend their air defense capabilities into Ukrainian airspace, citing inadequate support from existing systems provided by Western allies. However, last month, Zelensky noted that the US and its partners were “not ready yet” to implement this.
“We will continue to convince our partners of the need to shoot down Russian missiles and drones,” he declared at that time.
Moscow has consistently warned that increasing Western involvement in the conflict only prolongs hostilities and contributes to humanitarian suffering without altering the outcome, while also heightening the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.
Russian officials have claimed that Ukraine appears intent on drawing its Western allies into a direct clash with Moscow. “Zelensky’s plans boil down to Kiev dragging Western countries into war as quickly as possible and legitimizing it,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov last week. His remarks followed discussions regarding Zelensky's latest “victory plan,” which reportedly includes a call for the US to supply Tomahawk cruise missiles, according to the New York Times.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
During a conversation with Polish radio station ZET, Gawkowski expressed disapproval of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's appeals to Western allies for heightened air defense support for Ukraine. “Zelensky wants Poland to shoot down missiles over Ukraine,” the deputy prime minister remarked, emphasizing that such actions would lead Poland into direct conflict with Moscow.
“Zelensky … wants to drag Poland into the war with Russia,” he asserted, voicing his opposition to this notion. Gawkowski also expressed disappointment with Ukraine for what he perceived as ingratitude, given Poland’s support and the ongoing demands for additional help.
“I expect Ukraine … [to] appreciate that [they] have a friend who lent them a hand in difficult times and … not criticize it when it turns out that they want even more,” he stated.
The following day, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry responded, labeling Gawkowski's claims about Ukraine’s intentions as “unfounded.” The ministry deemed such statements “at the very least unacceptable,” especially considering the current circumstances.
“We are convinced that shooting down Russian missiles and drones flying in the direction of Poland over the territory of Ukraine… is in the security interests of Poland itself and its citizens,” the statement asserted, emphasizing that supporting Ukraine in its struggle against “Russian aggression” is “a vital interest of Poland” as well.
The ministry further expressed hopes for “continued active cooperation” from Warsaw, underscoring the importance of solidarity between the two nations and anticipating that the Polish government would share this objective.
For months, Kiev has been urging NATO member states to extend their air defense capabilities into Ukrainian airspace, citing inadequate support from existing systems provided by Western allies. However, last month, Zelensky noted that the US and its partners were “not ready yet” to implement this.
“We will continue to convince our partners of the need to shoot down Russian missiles and drones,” he declared at that time.
Moscow has consistently warned that increasing Western involvement in the conflict only prolongs hostilities and contributes to humanitarian suffering without altering the outcome, while also heightening the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.
Russian officials have claimed that Ukraine appears intent on drawing its Western allies into a direct clash with Moscow. “Zelensky’s plans boil down to Kiev dragging Western countries into war as quickly as possible and legitimizing it,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov last week. His remarks followed discussions regarding Zelensky's latest “victory plan,” which reportedly includes a call for the US to supply Tomahawk cruise missiles, according to the New York Times.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
