Poland was not represented at high-level talks in Washington on Monday between US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a group of European leaders discussing security guarantees for Ukraine and a possible end to Moscow's war against Kyiv.
Paweł Kowal, chairman of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, told Polish state new agency PAP that Moscow could have viewed Poland’s absence from the White House discussions as “a sign of weakness” and "a reason to target Poland with provocations."
"Whenever there is a shift in relations with Ukraine, even a ceasefire, Russia will try to show the world who is to blame," Kowal said. "In their minds, it is Poland."
Kowal also heads the Polish government's Council for Cooperation with Ukraine, established in April last year.
The drone incident took place overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, when a Russian unmanned aircraft exploded in a cornfield near the village of Osiny in Poland's eastern Lublin region.
Polish Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz described the explosion as a "Russian provocation" occurring at a sensitive moment, while international talks about peace in Ukraine are underway.
Poland's foreign ministry on Thursday handed a formal protest note to the Russian embassy in Warsaw over the airspace violation, according to spokesman Paweł Wroński.
Prosecutors are investigating the case.
Kowal argued that Poland’s contribution to supporting Ukraine gives it the right to be part of key security discussions.
"In proportion to our size and capacity, Poland is certainly at the forefront of helping Ukraine," he said. "This entitles us to discuss what security in Central Europe will look like in the coming years."
Kowal said in the interview that the priority now is to prepare thoroughly for President Karol Nawrocki’s planned visit to the United States in early September and to focus on core security concerns.
He also urged opposition politicians not to undermine Poland’s standing in the United States, adding that both the president and leaders of the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party "should call for unity on this matter."
Looking ahead to potential peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, Kowal said that any agreement must not legally recognise borders taken by force and should commit Russia to limiting its arms buildup.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP