No French assets initially played a role, but Macron told Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk that Paris would assist in protecting the country’s airspace in the future.
“The security of the European continent is our top priority. We will not yield to Russia’s growing intimidation,” the French leader said, adding that he is in touch with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Besides France, other NATO countries are also expected to strengthen air defenses on the alliance’s eastern flank. U.K. Defense Secretary John Healy announced Wednesday he was looking at options for London to do more, while Germany’s defense ministry said Thursday it had reinforced its air defense presence in Poland.
Russia’s drone incursion highlighted flaws in the readiness of Western arsenals to defeat low-cost, mass-produced threats.
Chris Lunday contributed reporting.
