“We are in an escalation that, if not stopped and if common sense does not prevail, is bad for Europe, bad for the world, but I believe it was a provocation or a test and that there will be no escalation from here,” stated Gouveia e Melo on the sidelines of the ‘Conversations with the President,’ a series of discussions with candidates for the Presidency of the Republic promoted by the AEP Foundation in Porto.
When asked if it was a test for Poland or NATO, Gouveia e Melo replied it was for both.
Noting that the drone incursion over Poland is not a normal situation, constituting a violation of international law, the presidential candidate remarked that if Russia thinks there will be a lack of willingness from Europe to use the resources it has to defend itself, it could be gravely mistaken.
“Europe is a coalition of various countries, it does not have a very hierarchical line of command and direction, but coalitions often have a much greater strength than countries with a very hierarchical structure,” he asserted.
In his opinion, Europe’s resilience and willingness to act should not be tested.
He added: “Because it’s not just Europe’s will, it’s the will of Europe and the United States, but Europe’s will alone is also very significant.”
Poland today reported a Russian drone incursion and formally requested an urgent consultation with NATO allies, invoking Article 4 of the Atlantic Alliance.
This article provides for consultations between parties whenever a member of the defense alliance considers its “territorial integrity, political independence, or security” to be threatened.
While Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the situation as “closer to open conflict than ever since World War II,” he noted there was no reason to claim the country was at war.
Polish and Dutch NATO planes were activated to confront the drones.
German Patriot batteries, U.S.-designed air defense systems present in Poland, were also activated, according to a NATO spokesperson.
An Italian air surveillance aircraft also took action, as confirmed by the same source.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated it did not intend to target Poland with its drones, but German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius claimed that the devices “were clearly directed” for this purpose.
