Polish PM warns critical months ahead in face of Russian threat
Poland's prime minister has said the country is preparing for "various" scenarios and that the coming months could be "critical" concerning the threat from Russia.
Donald Tusk was responding to media reports that Moscow was planning an armed "provocation" in Poland to test Nato's resolve, citing US intelligence.
"I don't mean to scare anyone but the coming months may truly be critical, also due to the changing nature of the war. These concerns are particularly palpable in the Baltic states," Tusk told reporters on Friday.
Polish news outlet Onet reported that sources close to President Karol Nawrocki had said the US had issued several warnings to Warsaw about a plot to attack the country.
The White House and US State Department did not respond to the BBC's requests for comment.
Under the purported plans, also published by the Telegraph in the UK on Friday, Polish infrastructure could be targeted by missiles or drones, or soldiers could be sent into the Nato state.
The reports suggest the aim would be to place pressure on Ukraine's western allies to suspend aid to the country as it continues to fight against Russia's full-scale invasion, launched in 2022.
Asked about the reports, Tusk said: "Let's not be afraid, we are preparing for various situations, but we cannot ignore them... We are aware of the threats, also thanks to information from our allies".
Polish President Nawrocki is set to attend a Nato summit with leaders of other members of the defensive alliance in Turkey next week.
Secretary General Mark Rutte has said the gathering will show Europeans are heeding US President Donald Trump's longstanding calls to increase their defence spending, while leaders are also expected to pledge to continue funding weapons for Ukraine.
Tusk told the Financial Times in April that Russia could attack a Nato member state in "months".
In late June, his Deputy Prime Minister Radek Sikorski told CBS News that he would not rule out a Russian "false flag" operation in the next two years to justify an attack on a Nato state.
Baltic states have previously acknowledged concerns over their vulnerability to a Russian attack. Latvian media reported in June that its intelligence services had warned Moscow was planning military provocations in the region, or in Poland.
Lithuania's ambassador to Nato said on Thursday that Russia was more likely to resort to hybrid warfare - such as missile or drone incursions - than a conventional military attack, according to the country's public service broadcaster LRT.
Nato's Article 5 states that an armed attack against one member will be considered an attack against all, for which they will come to each other's defence.
Read the full story at BBC ↗
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated Friday that the country is preparing for multiple scenarios amid reported US intelligence warnings of potential Russian provocations. According to reports, Moscow may be planning armed actions—such as missile or drone strikes on infrastructure, or deployments of soldiers—targeting NATO territory to pressure Western allies into reducing Ukraine support. Tusk said Poland is aware of these threats through allied intelligence sharing. Polish President Nawrocki will attend a NATO summit in Turkey next week where member states are expected to pledge continued weapons funding for Ukraine and demonstrate increased defence spending commitments. Lithuania's NATO ambassador suggested Russia may favour hybrid warfare over conventional military action. NATO's Article 5 collective defence clause would be triggered by any armed attack on a member state.
Read the full story at BBC ↗
Poland's prime minister has said the country is preparing for "various" scenarios and that the coming months could be "critical" concerning the threat from Russia.
Donald Tusk was responding to media reports that Moscow was planning an armed "provocation" in Poland to test Nato's resolve, citing US intelligence.
"I don't mean to scare anyone but the coming months may truly be critical, also due to the changing nature of the war. These concerns are particularly palpable in the Baltic states," Tusk told reporters on Friday.
Polish news outlet Onet reported that sources close to President Karol Nawrocki had said the US had issued several warnings to Warsaw about a plot to attack the country.
The White House and US State Department did not respond to the BBC's requests for comment.
Under the purported plans, also published by the Telegraph in the UK on Friday, Polish infrastructure could be targeted by missiles or drones, or soldiers could be sent into the Nato state.
The reports suggest the aim would be to place pressure on Ukraine's western allies to suspend aid to the country as it continues to fight against Russia's full-scale invasion, launched in 2022.
Asked about the reports, Tusk said: "Let's not be afraid, we are preparing for various situations, but we cannot ignore them... We are aware of the threats, also thanks to information from our allies".
Polish President Nawrocki is set to attend a Nato summit with leaders of other members of the defensive alliance in Turkey next week.
Secretary General Mark Rutte has said the gathering will show Europeans are heeding US President Donald Trump's longstanding calls to increase their defence spending, while leaders are also expected to pledge to continue funding weapons for Ukraine.
Tusk told the Financial Times in April that Russia could attack a Nato member state in "months".
In late June, his Deputy Prime Minister Radek Sikorski told CBS News that he would not rule out a Russian "false flag" operation in the next two years to justify an attack on a Nato state.
Baltic states have previously acknowledged concerns over their vulnerability to a Russian attack. Latvian media reported in June that its intelligence services had warned Moscow was planning military provocations in the region, or in Poland.
Lithuania's ambassador to Nato said on Thursday that Russia was more likely to resort to hybrid warfare - such as missile or drone incursions - than a conventional military attack, according to the country's public service broadcaster LRT.
Nato's Article 5 states that an armed attack against one member will be considered an attack against all, for which they will come to each other's defence.
Read the full story at BBC ↗
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated the coming months may be critical concerning Russian threats US intelligence has reportedly warned of Russian plans for provocations in Poland Reported plans include potential missile or drone strikes on Polish infrastructure or soldier deployments into NATO territory The purported objective would be to pressure Western allies to suspend aid to Ukraine Poland is preparing for various scenarios while remaining aware of threats through allied intelligence Polish President Nawrocki will attend a NATO summit in Turkey next week NATO leaders are expected to pledge continued weapons funding for Ukraine and increase defence spending Lithuania's NATO ambassador indicated Russia may prefer hybrid warfare over conventional military attack The months ahead represent a critical period for Poland and the region
Read the full story at BBC ↗
- Poland's prime minister warns that the coming months may be critical due to evolving Russian threats, citing US intelligence reports of potential provocations
- US intelligence has reportedly warned of plans for Russian military action targeting Polish infrastructure or NATO territory to test alliance resolve
- Poland is preparing for various scenarios while NATO allies prepare to increase defence spending and continue supporting Ukraine