MOSCOW, September 15. /TASS/. NATO launches Eastern Sentry operation after Polish drone incident, escalating tensions with Russia; US Secretary of State Rubio visits Israel amid Qatar strike fallout and annexation talks; and Nepal’s interim government under Sushila Karki seeks stability after Gen Z-led uprising. These stories topped Monday’s newspaper headlines across Russia.
Western countries have taken a path of escalating tensions with Russia. The orchestrated provocation involving allegedly Russian drones and Poland’s refusal to engage with Moscow on this issue reflects the determination of Kiev and its European allies to intensify the confrontation, Federation Council Deputy Chairman Konstantin Kosachev told Izvestia. On September 13, Poland and Romania reported threats of drone incursions into their airspace from Ukraine, and that same day NATO launched Operation Eastern Sentry. At the same time, the European Union is seeking to push the United States toward tougher measures against Russia by expanding sanctions, according to experts.
EU member states plan to discuss a response to the drone incident in Polish airspace at a meeting of ministers responsible for European affairs, scheduled for September 16, Polish radio station RMF FM reported. Against this backdrop, NATO announced the start of operation Eastern Sentry on September 13 "to strengthen the Alliance’s presence on the eastern flank."
