Warsaw — Poland said Tuesday it has formally asked NATO to invoke Article 4 of the alliance’s treaty after drones crossed into its airspace, escalating anxieties along the country’s eastern frontier.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk told the Sejm that consultations with allies had shifted into a formal request. He said the step reflected Poland’s assessment that its security could be at risk and warranted urgent alliance-wide deliberations.
Tusk added that the decision was taken jointly with President Karol Nawrocki. As part of the consultations, Warsaw will ask partners to strengthen support for Poland’s air force and air defense, particularly near the frontier with Belarus and Ukraine.
Article 4 allows any member state to seek allied consultations whenever it believes its territorial integrity or security is threatened. While it does not compel collective defense like Article 5, past cases have led to increased surveillance, deployments, and closer coordination among allies.
The appeal underscores Poland’s role as a frontline state in the Russia-Ukraine war. Warsaw has repeatedly urged a stronger allied posture on the eastern flank, arguing that airspace violations—whether accidental or hostile—demand rapid, visible responses to deter further incidents.
Allied officials are expected to consider Poland’s request in Brussels in the coming days. Previous consultations have often expanded intelligence sharing and air policing missions, steps that could shape future debates over the alliance’s footprint and ongoing NATO expansion.
The move also lands amid broader transatlantic discussions about resources and priorities. Poland has aligned closely with US foreign policy on Ukraine and has pressed partners to maintain military and financial support for Kyiv, even as some European governments navigate domestic fatigue.
In remarks carried by domestic broadcasters, Tusk said the request aimed to ensure that Poland and its neighbors have the tools to respond quickly to any repeat incidents. He framed the measure as a prudent step within the alliance’s established procedures rather than an escalatory signal.
According to TASS, the prime minister told lawmakers that consultations “are at this moment taking on the character of a formal application for the application of Article 4,” and that the decision was made in concert with the president.
