NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has pledged additional support for Ukraine following Russian drone strikes near the border with Poland. Rutte stated on Monday that the 32-nation military alliance will not be deterred from supporting Kyiv in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and will enhance its defenses along the eastern border with Russia.
The comments from Rutte came as Poland announced increased security measures along its border with Ukraine. On Sunday, Russian drones targeted a train near the Ukraine-Poland border, with a second strike occurring near another crossing point. The strike on the train happened shortly after a diplomatic delegation, which included former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, had passed through the station, according to Ukraine’s state rail operator.
Rutte remarked, "The strikes yesterday on trains in Ukraine close to NATO territory again show Putin’s desperation and also his desire to sow fear and terror." He described Russia as becoming increasingly reckless in its actions against Ukraine.
Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz reported that the Polish army recovered what is believed to be a Russian military drone from the Baltic Sea near Jaroslawiec.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, stated that the attacks near the Polish border were intended to intimidate Western nations from supporting Ukraine, emphasizing the need for solidarity with Ukraine.
In response to the train strike, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russian forces would continue operations across Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Moscow might escalate its campaign against Ukraine’s western borders, stating that the coming weeks could see intensified actions from Russia. He mentioned that intelligence reports suggest a likelihood of attacks on border points and sabotage within European countries to deter support for Ukraine. Tusk indicated he would consult NATO allies on a potential joint response.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned that Ukraine and Russia have agreed not to target each other's energy infrastructure. Trump expressed a willingness to revive peace efforts, although he has been perceived as leaning towards the Russian perspective on the conflict.
Despite ongoing tensions, Trump claimed on social media that both nations agreed to refrain from attacking energy targets. However, this claim has not been confirmed by either Russia or Ukraine.
In the Black Sea, Russian forces reportedly struck two cargo vessels on Monday, resulting in one fatality and one injury in Russia’s Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that a de-escalation concerning critical infrastructure could be a preliminary step towards peace. He indicated Ukraine's readiness to halt strikes on Russia if assurances are made that Moscow will not target Ukrainian energy facilities and supply routes. Zelenskyy has previously proposed mutual pauses in strikes as a means to halt hostilities, but the Kremlin has maintained that Ukraine must first cede territory and demilitarize.
SOURCE: Al Jazeera English