German foreign policy expert: Russia testing NATO cohesion in Poland

German foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen has said he believes the intrusion by Russian drones into Polish airspace was designed to test NATO and try and intimidate the Western defence alliance over its support for Ukraine.

Röttgen, in comments to public broadcaster ARD on Thursday morning, said it was inconceivable that this could happen without the consent of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“It’s a test of NATO cohesion,” Röttgen, a conservative lawmaker, said. “But of course it’s also intimidation: Keep out of the war, otherwise it will get closer to you.”

Russian drones were shot down over NATO territory for the first time since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, after some 19 drones entered Polish airspace starting from 11:30 pm (2130 GMT) on Tuesday, according to Warsaw.

Some of the drones, many of which were Iranian-made Shaheds used by Russia in Ukraine, according to the EU, were brought down by Polish and Dutch fighter jets.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also invoked Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which provides for consultations if a member state feels its territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened.

Röttgen said NATO had shown it would stand together in events like these.

Now was the time for the alliance to decide how to respond, he added, calling for drone defence to be ramped up.