UK Defence Secretary Healey: We see what Putin is doing, he is testing us again

Defence ministers and senior defence officials from the E5 group of countries (the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland) and Ukraine gathered in London, the capital of the UK, to discuss issues regarding the security of Ukraine and Europe.

A press conference was held following the meeting, which Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz had to leave early last night due to the violation of his country's airspace by Russian unmanned aerial vehicles.

Following the meeting in the E5 format, which brings together the five countries with the highest military spending in Europe, UK Defence Secretary John Healey accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of "testing" European allies.

"PUTIN HAS TAKEN AGGRESSION AGAINST EUROPE TO A NEW LEVEL"

At the press conference, Healey said, "We are in a new era of threats. We are facing war in Europe, increasing Russian aggression, and last night, Putin took his hostility toward Europe to a new level."

Stating that Polish airspace on NATO's eastern border had been seriously violated, Healey said, "This violation led to the closure of Warsaw Airport, and NATO jets shot down Russian UAVs. This has been the first defensive operation since Putin launched his attack on Ukraine."

Arguing that these events show that Russian President Putin disregards peace, Healey said, "Therefore, as the E5, we condemn these attacks entirely. Russia's actions are reckless, dangerous, and unprecedented. Once again, we see what Putin is doing; he is testing us again."

Expressing that the Polish Defence Minister was right to return to his country, Healey said, "Our Polish friends, as your NATO ally, we support you. We will do our part to help ensure the safety of your people."

Healey also stated that he had instructed the UK Armed Forces to examine options to strengthen NATO air defence in Poland, adding, "There are currently 300 British personnel in Poland who are strengthening NATO's deterrence as well as Poland's own deterrence and defence. As part of NATO, we will do everything we can as part of the collective response that Poland has requested from us and other NATO allies."

Healey said, "Today, as five countries, we say this to President Putin: Your aggression only serves to strengthen cooperation among NATO countries. Your aggression only reinforces our determination to stand by Ukraine."

"WE WILL MAKE OUR OWN ASSESSMENT"

When asked at the press conference for his comment on the Russian Defence Ministry's statement that Poland was not targeted, Healey replied, "We will make our own assessment." Healey said, "It should come as no surprise to anyone that the first reaction from the Kremlin is to deny any responsibility and to deny that there was any intent behind it. We have seen this in the increasing intensity of attacks on Ukraine. We have also seen this in Russia's rising aggression toward Ukraine and more generally toward the outside world. And tonight, we experienced an incident that is the first of its kind against NATO airspace."

"THE AIRSPACE OF A SOVEREIGN COUNTRY HAS BEEN VIOLATED"

In response to a question about the number of Russian unmanned aerial vehicles and the purpose of the incident, he said that according to initial assessments, about 20 unmanned aerial vehicles were involved and that NATO air defence performed effectively. Healey said, "As for whether this was intentional, the result is the same. NATO defence has been tested, international law and the airspace of a sovereign country have been violated. Whatever the intent behind it, it is dangerous. We condemn this, we say it is reckless, and we will strengthen NATO air defence where necessary."