Bulgaria's Ambassador to NATO told BNT: For now, there is no need for additional reinforcement of the Eastern flank

There is no evidence that last night's explosion in Poland, which killed two people, was deliberate. There is no evidence of an attack by Russia against NATO.

This was announced by the Secretary General of the Pact Jens Stoltenberg amid a meeting of the countries' ambassadors this morning, November 16. The investigation into the incident continues.

Ambassadors of the Alliance countries gathered urgently this morning to discuss measures after last night's explosion in Poland near the border with Ukraine that killed two people. After the talks, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said allies are monitoring the situation closely.

"The investigation into this incident is ongoing and we must await the outcome. But we have no indication that it was the result of a deliberate attack. And we have no indication that Russia is preparing offensive military action against NATO. Our preliminary analysis suggests that the incident was likely caused by a Ukrainian air defence missile fired in defence of Ukrainian territory against Russian cruise missile attacks."

Stoltenberg said the incident was not Ukraine's fault, but Russia's, as it continues its illegal war against it.

"At the meeting today, NATO allies expressed their deep condolences for the loss of life. They also expressed their firm solidarity with Poland. And they were adamant that we will continue to support Ukraine in its right to self-defence. Russia must stop this senseless war," Stoltenberg said.

Bulgaria's acting ambassador to NATO, Zlatin Krastev, told BNT that there was no need for further reinforcement of the alliance's eastern flank for now.

"The blame for this cannot be placed on Ukraine, which is defending itself, but is a consequence of the massive attack against it with various types of weapons - cruise and ballistic missiles, drones. Any air defence would go wrong in such a situation, let alone the stressed out Ukraine. Yesterday's attack was the biggest since October. At the moment, there is no need to reinforce the eastern flank. Naturally, since we are talking about missile and air defence, this could be further reviewed, but there are no deadlines or decisions to justify such a need," Krustev said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged not to jump to conclusions after the incident in Poland.

"We should wait for the results of the investigation and then announce them publicly. Any hasty conclusion about the events before their careful investigation is out of question, given the seriousness of the matter."

Turkish President Erdogan said it was important that Russia was not linked to the explosion in Poland.

"It is important for us that Russia says it had nothing to do with this incident. This fact and Biden's statement that these missiles are not Russian-made probably shows that Russia is not related to the incident."

Stoltenberg also commented that NATO continues to mobilize additional support for Ukraine, especially various types of air defence. The alliance provides counter-drone systems, cruise missile defence systems, ballistic missile defence systems and drone defence.

From Bali at the G20 summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would continue to support Ukraine for as long as necessary.

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