Drones ‘error’ a test of Nato resolve, if not that of Trump

The incursion into Polish airspace may be an accident, but it is a risk that Putin is happy to take, given the shocking level of impunity Russia has faced for its actions

- writes Sam Kiley

Poland has called an emergency Nato council meeting after shooting down at least four Russian drones that entered its airspace in the most dangerous test of the alliance's resolve in decades.

In calling for the council meeting, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk, who said he was in “constant contact” with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, was bringing the alliance together to discuss its Article 5 - the obligation to defend a member subject to an armed attack.

The move will further test Donald Trump’s loyalty to the West’s most important strategic alliance. He has spent the last seven months in office backing Russia against America’s allies and himself threatened to invade or annex Nato members Canada and Denmark.

The Russian drones were “an act of aggression that posed a real threat to the safety of our civilians”, the Polish government said.