Reuters: Europe alarmed by Trump's reaction to drone overflight over Poland

Europe is alarmed after US President Donald Trump's reaction to the appearance of Russian drones over Poland. His refusal to publicly hold Moscow accountable and the lack of U.S. support in repelling the attack have caused concern among NATO allies, Reuters reported, citing European diplomats.

Many Alliance members began to question Trump's willingness to defend European countries in the event of real Russian aggression.

"The White House chief's restrained reaction is perceived as another example of his 'America First' principle, which implies that European partners should take more responsibility for their own security and the cost of aid to Ukraine," the agency points out.

According to an unnamed White House official, Trump wants this war "caused by Joe Biden's incompetence" to end as soon as possible. At the same time, the US president believes that it is up to Russia and Ukraine to stop the conflict, while Europe is obliged to "do its part through economic pressure on the countries financing the war."

Diplomats and analysts note that at any other time since the start of the Cold War, such a violation of Polish airspace would have caused immediate alarm in Washington and a swift response.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, announcing plans to strengthen the alliance's eastern flank, said the US president had "made it clear that we are acting together". However, Reuters' European sources note that the actual US behaviour has raised concerns.

One Eastern European diplomat characterised Washington's response as "almost deafening silence".

US warplanes of the United States were not involved in shooting down the drones that violated Polish airspace, because the protection at that time was the responsibility of Dutch servicemen in the framework of the NATO patrol mission," the agency stresses.

Recall that after the drone incursion over Poland, Trump wrote in the social network Truth Social: "What is this violation of Polish airspace by Russia with drones? It's starting!". The very next day he suggested that the drones could have "accidentally" ended up in Poland, which was denied by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski.

Recall, on the night of 10 September, Russia again attacked Ukraine with drones and missiles, but several UAVs invaded Polish airspace. There for the first time was used weapons from aircraft to defeat them. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the country's airspace was violated at least 19 times, emphasising that the drones did not come from Ukraine "due to mistakes or minor provocations" but directly from Belarus. By the morning of 11 September, the wreckage of 16 drones had been found on Polish territory.

In response to these events, NATO activated Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which provides for joint consultations of the Alliance countries in case of a threat to the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the members.