What does NATO Article 4, which Poland wants to activate, provide for: an explanation
10 September 13:07
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the country has officially asked NATO to activate Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty after Russian drones invaded Polish airspace on the night of September 10. He said this during a speech in the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
“The shooting down of the drones that threatened our security is a success for the Polish army and NATO, which also changes the political situation. In this regard, the consultations of the allies have taken on a formal request to activate Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty,” Tusk said.
Emergency meeting of the National Security Bureau
According to Polish President Karol Nawrocki, an emergency meeting of the National Security Bureau was held at 6:30 a.m. to discuss response measures and the possibility of using NATO Article 4.
“During this meeting, we discussed the possibility of invoking Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty. This discussion also raised the issue of the need to strengthen Poland’s anti-drone defense,” Navrotsky said.
NATO Article 4: what it means
Article 4 of NATO allows for urgent consultations between member states when any country believes that its territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened.
“The Parties will consult whenever, in the opinion of either of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of a member state is threatened,” the document says.
This mechanism is not an automatic article of collective defense (Article 5 of NATO). It provides for the exchange of information, coordination of a common position and, if necessary, the identification of possible measures to respond to the threat.
When NATO Article 4 is applied
Article 4 can be used not only in the event of direct military aggression, but also in any situation that a member state considers a serious threat.
The procedure for its activation begins with a request to the NATO Secretary General. Then the issue is considered at the level of the North Atlantic Council, where representatives of all member states discuss the situation and make decisions.
Poland after the night attack by Russian drones
On the night of Tuesday to Wednesday , Russian drones repeatedly violated Polish airspace during Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in the Sejm:
“Poland wants to activate Article 4 of NATO. This is our joint recommendation with the President”.
He emphasized that Article 4 is only the beginning of deeper cooperation:
“Words are not enough here. We will expect much more support during the consultations. This is not only our war, this is not only the war of Ukrainians – this is a confrontation that Russia has declared to the entire free world.”
The Polish government emphasizes that the Article 4 action is a response to a serious provocation by Russia, which violated the airspace of a NATO ally. The country expects active support from its allies in conducting consultations and strengthening anti-drone defense.
NATO does not recognize drones in Poland as an attack by Russia
NATO does not consider the incursion of Russian drones into Poland last night as an attack on an Alliance member state, Reuters reports, citing a NATO source.
According to the source, initial reports indicate “a deliberate intrusion of six to ten Russian drones.”
“This was the first time that NATO aircraft attacked potentially dangerous targets in the ally’s airspace,” the source said.
Nevertheless, the source added, “NATO does not consider the invasion of Russian drones into Poland to be an attack.”
It is indicated that Polish F-16 fighters, Dutch F-35s, Italian AWACS long-range radar detection aircraft and refueling aircraft under NATO control took part in the drone destruction operation.
Meanwhile, a NATO spokesman released an official statement on the Russian attack:
“Overnight, numerous drones entered Polish airspace and were met by Polish and NATO air defenses. The NATO Secretary General is in contact with the Polish leadership. NATO is in close consultation with Poland”.
