Poland Criticized Russia's Provocations at the UN
Poland stated at the UN that Russian provocations and violations of European countries’ airspace do not bring an end to the war against Ukraine any closer. Warsaw believes that the only real path to peace is the complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from the occupied Ukrainian territories.
This was stated by Michał Marka, Poland’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, during a UN General Assembly debate on the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The diplomat drew attention to Russia’s actions beyond Ukraine’s borders. According to him, Moscow continues its provocative policy in the region, in particular by violating the airspace of other European countries.
Myrka mentioned Poland, Romania, Moldova, and Latvia, whose airspace, he said, Russia had violated with missiles and drones. “Russia’s provocative behavior in the region and its recent violations of the airspace of Poland, Romania, Moldova, and Latvia with missiles and drones do not bring us any closer to ending this conflict, no matter what Kremlin propagandists may claim,” the Polish diplomat stated.
According to the Polish representative, simply talking about peace is not enough to end the war. It is necessary to end the Russian occupation of Ukrainian territories and secure the withdrawal of Russian troops. “Perhaps this is news to a country with neocolonial ambitions, but undermining the security architecture does not help restore peace. But a complete and unconditional withdrawal of troops from the occupied territories does help,” Miarka emphasized. Thus, Poland links the end of the war not to a ceasefire or a new division of territories, but specifically to the end of the Russian occupation.
Poland Does Not Recognize the Occupied Territories as Russian
Myrka also stated that Poland will not recognize the Ukrainian territories seized by Russia as part of the Russian Federation. According to him, Warsaw’s position on Ukraine’s territorial integrity remains unchanged. Poland also has no intention of “turning a blind eye” to the crimes Russia is committing during the war.
“Poland will never recognize the seized Ukrainian territories as part of Russia and will never turn a blind eye to the atrocities Moscow is committing in Ukraine,” said Poland’s representative to the UN. He emphasized that those responsible for Russian crimes must be held accountable. This involves investigating war crimes and identifying those responsible.
Poland also supports the demand to allow international observers into the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. This is necessary so that independent representatives of the international community can obtain information about the situation there firsthand.
Poland called for international observers to be admitted
Separately, Mierka called on Russia to cease hostilities and ensure access for independent international observers to all temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. According to him, the scale of Russian attacks indicates that Moscow has not yet demonstrated a willingness to end the war. “Although the scale of the latest Russian attacks proves that Moscow is unwilling to cease hostilities against Ukraine, we once again call on Russia to stop its illegal and aggressive actions,” the diplomat said.
He also called for ensuring unimpeded access for independent international observers to all temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Such access is crucial for documenting the situation in the occupied territories. International observers can record human rights violations, the consequences of the occupation, and other possible violations of international law.
Why Poland Is Talking About European Airspace
Russian strikes and drone operations are increasingly becoming a problem not only for Ukraine. Poland and other countries neighboring Ukraine are closely monitoring the situation due to the risk of Russian missiles or drones entering their airspace. For NATO countries, this is also a matter of security for the Alliance’s entire eastern flank. Any incident involving Russian weapons in the airspace of NATO member states could create additional tension in the region.
That is precisely why Poland advocates increasing pressure on Russia and supports Ukraine in its stand against Russian aggression. During his speech at the UN, Mierka effectively linked these issues together: Russian attacks against Ukraine, violations of neighboring countries’ airspace, and general instability in the region are all parts of the same problem.
What Poland Considers the Path to Peace
The main message from the Polish side is that ending the war must involve more than just a pause in hostilities. Warsaw considers the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory to be essential. Poland also insists on preserving Ukraine’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. This means that territories occupied by Russia cannot be recognized as part of the Russian Federation.
Separately, Warsaw advocates holding those responsible for Russian crimes accountable. Another demand is access for independent international observers to the temporarily occupied territories. Thus, during the UN General Assembly session, Poland once again declared its support for Ukraine and criticized Russia’s actions. Warsaw emphasizes that a true end to the war is possible only after the Russian occupation ends and troops are withdrawn. Michal Marka, Poland’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, made this statement during the General Assembly debate on the situation in the temporarily occupied territories.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned airlines, insurers, and other companies that use Russian airspace about the increasing danger of flying over Russia. According to him, due to the war and the activity of Ukrainian drones, Russian airspace will effectively become unsuitable for safe civilian flights.
