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Sikorski on Russian Helicopter Incursion: If Moscow Says “We’re Sorry,” We Won’t Make a Big Deal Out of It
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Polish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that Poland will not escalate a recent Russian military airspace violation if Moscow issues a formal apology, Polish news agency PAP reported on September 23.
He also warned that the Polish Armed Forces remain prepared to defend national sovereignty against intentional threats.
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The diplomatic reaction follows an incident reported by the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces, in which a Russian military helicopter violated Polish airspace near Braniewo along the border with Russia’s Kaliningrad region, penetrating approximately 300 meters for 42 seconds before being tracked and exiting Polish territory.
Speaking to reporters in New York following his address to the UN Security Council, Sikorski made clear that Warsaw expects official accountability from Moscow regarding the border breach, according to PAP.
“Such things happen between neighbors, and if the Russian side says 'we are sorry, ' we will not make a big deal out of it,” Sikorski stated.
“If the Russian side says 'we’re sorry, the pilot made a mistake, ' we won’t make a big deal out of it. But whoever is at fault must feel guilty,” he continued.
PAP wrote that, when questioned about whether Poland would shoot down intruding Russian aircraft in future incidents, Sikorski affirmed that operational decisions rest entirely with military commanders under the Polish Constitution.
“If our Air Force Command and Operations Commander determine that this is intentional and that it threatens the property, health, and lives of our citizens, then our constitution is clear: the Polish Army defends the homeland,” Sikorski said, noting that Polish airspace is continuously monitored and guarded alongside NATO allied aircraft and radar networks.
Sikorski’s call for a firm response was mirrored in Warsaw by Presidential Minister Marcin Przydacz, who urged the government to adopt a tougher stance against Moscow to prevent further provocations, PAP reported.
“We need to take a tougher stance towards Russia in a way that doesn’t pose a risk to Poles or their security,” Przydacz stated, adding that an “appropriate military response” managed by the Operational Command is necessary. “If we don’t react, our adversaries will certainly become even more active, even more aggressive.”
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During his remarks in New York, Sikorski also addressed recent insults from Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who suggested Sikorski required psychiatric medication after he discussed personal crisis preparedness in an interview. Sikorski pointed out the hypocrisy in Kremlin rhetoric given recent statements from Russian officials, according to PAP.
“Just a few days ago, Vladimir Putin’s influential advisor, Mr. Patrushev, threatened us with nuclear annihilation. And Ms. Zakharova suggests that such a fear of Russian aggression is a mental illness,” Sikorski remarked to reporters. “So I suggest that Ms. Zakharova and Mr. Patrushev should agree on a position.”
Additionally, Sikorski commented on reports concerning a potential US invitation to Russian leader Vladimir Putin for the upcoming G20 summit in Miami.
According to PAP, Sikorski argued that if he were US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he would make inviting Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit in Miami strictly conditional on a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Sikorski added that Putin’s potential attendance would create an “image problem” for invited leaders, including Polish President Karol Nawrocki. He referenced a recent meeting of G20 finance ministers in Asheville, where Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domański and other European delegates forced organizers to exclude Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov from the official group photograph.
An unauthorized drone recently flew within 500 meters of the strategic US Aegis Ashore missile defense base in Redzikowo, Poland, on September 23, prompting Polish military guards to call civilian police rather than deploy military countermeasures.
The breach has raised sharp concerns over the physical security of critical NATO installations as Russia continues using drone incursions across Europe to probe Western air defense readiness.
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