Poland has requested consultations under Article 4 of the NATO treaty concerning external threats, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced in Warsaw on Wednesday.
Article 4 allows for consultations if a NATO member believes its territorial integrity, political independence, or security is under threat.
The Polish Air Force, assisted by Dutch fighter jets, destroyed more than a dozen drones that entered Polish airspace during Russian attacks on Ukraine overnight. Tusk said the drones originated from Russia.
He noted that it was the first time Russian drones had been shot down over NATO territory.
While no injuries were reported, some property damage occurred.
The next provision of the NATO treaty, Article 5, stipulates that an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all members, obliging a collective response to restore and maintain security in the North Atlantic area.
However, it is regarded as highly unlikely that Poland will request military assistance under Article 5 at this stage.
(NAN)