WARSAW, Poland – Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused Russia on January 15 of planning acts of “air terror” against airlines worldwide, including sabotage and diversions on Polish soil and beyond. The claim came during a visit to Warsaw by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking another significant moment in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Tusk asserted that Poland, an EU and NATO member, plays a crucial role in countering Russia’s acts of sabotage, which have targeted not only Poland but also airlines globally. He confirmed the validity of fears that Russia had organized several dramatic incidents, including potential acts of air terror against various airlines worldwide. Tusk, however, refrained from providing further details but emphasized the seriousness of the threat.
The accusations come amid a broader investigation into similar incidents. In November, Lithuania arrested individuals as part of a probe into incendiary devices sent to Western-bound planes. These devices, reportedly including electric massagers rigged with flammable substances, were linked to a lorry fire outside Warsaw. Lithuanian officials have suggested that Moscow was behind these acts of sabotage, while UK and German authorities have also pointed to Russia’s involvement in similar incidents.
Tusk also addressed Poland’s leadership within the European Union, pledging to expedite Ukraine’s accession to the bloc. He stressed that Poland would work with its European partners to break the deadlock and speed up Ukraine’s EU membership process. Zelenskyy echoed the sentiment, stating that Ukraine’s EU and NATO membership would ensure greater geopolitical stability for Europe.
The two leaders also discussed resolving a long-standing dispute regarding the World War II Volyn killings, in which Polish nationals were massacred in what is now Western Ukraine. While the details of any agreement were not disclosed, Tusk highlighted the importance of resolving the issue and allowing Polish families to properly bury their loved ones.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, the situation between Poland, Ukraine, and Russia remains a critical point of focus for European security and diplomacy.