Zelenskyy, Poland’s Tusk discuss response after Russian drones violate airspace

ISTANBUL

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that he held talks with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk after Russian drones targeting Ukraine crossed into Polish airspace, marking “a completely different level of escalation.”

Zelenskyy said debris from the drones, including Iranian-made Shaheds, was found in “many towns and villages” in Poland, and Kyiv has been sharing intelligence with Warsaw since the overnight strikes.

“I offered Poland our assistance, training, and expertise in shooting down Russian drones, particularly Shaheds. Donald and I agreed on appropriate cooperation at the military level,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram.

He stressed the need to establish a joint European air defense system and increase funding for interceptor drone production, noting the steps would create “an effective air shield over Europe.”

The Ukrainian leader also discussed the incident with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, underlining that “we must respond together to all current challenges and be ready for potential threats to all Europeans in the future.”

Polish officials said investigations were underway after debris was found in multiple areas, while Ukraine has claimed Russia launched the drones from occupied Ukrainian territory and Belarus.