While it was reported that the missile that fell on Poland was not a Russian but a Ukrainian missile, President Erdogan emphasized that blaming Moscow would further escalate tensions.
Two people were killed Tuesday in a suspected missile attack in eastern Poland not far from the Ukrainian border.
Although US intelligence claimed that the missiles that Russia launched against Ukraine in the first place had landed in Poland, according to unnamed US officials cited by Associated Press, the weapon was likely a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile that went astray.
After the missile news, US President Joe Biden also met with Western leaders in Bali, where they went for the G20, and told reporters that the first information they had showed that it was “unlikely” that the missile was fired by Russia
Russia’s Ministry of Defense said no strikes were made against targets near the Ukrainian-Polish border by Russian means of destruction, adding “statements from Polish media and officials about the alleged fall of ‘Russian’ missiles are a deliberate provocation in order to escalate the situation.”
Erdogan: Russia had nothing to do with Poland explosions
Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the G-20 Bali Summit in Indonesia, Türkiye’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: “I need to respect Russia’s statement. In this regard, it is important for us (to mention) that Russia says, ‘This has nothing to do with us’.”
He said that pointing fingers at Russia after finding out that the missile is not Russian-made will further escalate tensions. A proper investigation of what had happened is essential, he added.
“While we are endeavoring to bring Russia and Ukraine around the same table, there is no need to find any third partner to this war,” Erdogan said.
On the Istanbul grain deal, Erdogan said as soon as he returns from Bali, he will speak with his Russian counterpart about the extension of the grain deal by at least one year. “We will also discuss the transport of fertilizer and ammonia,” he added.
Provocative statements from the West
Shortly after the incident took place, the Polish National Security Committee convened urgently and it was announced that it had been decided to “increase the combat readiness of the military units”.
A statement from the Polish Foreign Ministry claimed the weapon as being made in Russia. President Andrzej Duda was more cautious, saying that it was “most probably” Russian-made but that its origins were still being verified.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky rushed to accuse Moscow of delivering a missile strike on a NATO member and urged the military bloc to retaliate.
By targeting Russia regarding the incident, many NATO members made statements one after another that the situation was worrying.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda called for more air defences along the Polish-Ukrainian border.
Answering questions at the daily press conference, Pentagon Spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder reminded the 5th article and NATO’s security commitment.
He stated that the US had clearly declared that it would defend every inch of the NATO territory.
