NATO country warns Russia of ‘serious consequences’ as WW3 fears erupt

Poland’s Foreign Ministry has warned that any attacks on its diplomatic missions by Russia will be regarded as deliberate and intentional acts. “Since Russia claims it is not waging a war but a so-called ‘special military operation’, which by definition should be limited to military targets, any attacks on other infrastructure, including diplomatic missions, must be regarded as unfriendly acts,” it said in a statement.

“Therefore any attack on Polish diplomatic missions will be regarded as deliberate and intentional.” It added that Russia’s actions entail serious legal and international consequences and further undermine its role as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. It also called on Russia to immediately stop its unjustified and illegal aggression and to respect its international obligations and treaties.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland states that it consistently regards any attacks on Ukraine, including on infrastructure and civilians, as acts of unjustified aggression resulting in mass casualties and damage to infrastructure,” it added.

This comes after the Russian Foreign Ministry claimed on Monday (May 25) that Russian forces are beginning “systematic continuous strikes” against Ukrainian defence industry companies and “decision-making centres” in Kyiv. Moscow also urged foreign nationals, including diplomatic staff and employees of international organisations, to “leave Kyiv as soon as possible”.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, however, said that Russian threats of further strikes on Kyiv are intended to intimidate Western diplomats, but Ukraine does not expect such blackmail to succeed. The EU’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarína Mathernová said Western diplomats will not leave Kyiv, despite Russia’s threats.

Last week, the Pentagon had cancelled the deployment of thousands of troops to the NATO state.

The announcement by Mr Trump – which appeared to take his own defence department by surprise – came after days of war games by Russia and close ally Belarus, who both share borders with Poland. The move will be seen as reassuring to Poland and the neighbouring NATO member Baltic states Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.