Crisis talks take place after Polish killed by missile

Crisis talks will take place after a Russian missile reportedly killed two Polish residents on the Ukrainian border. 

Crisis talks will take place after a Russian missile reportedly killed two Polish residents on the Ukrainian border. 

Crisis talks will take place after a Russian missile reportedly killed two Polish residents on the Ukrainian border. 

Poland is readying its military in response to the strike and president Andrzej Duda has met with his US counterpart President Joe Biden. 

There are high level talks taking place over whether the missile strike would trigger Article Five of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, which could see a military response in support of Poland by member states. 

Does this mean war? Maybe. 

What happened in Poland

Two people were reportedly killed on Tuesday in the town of Przewodow in southeastern Poland near the Ukrainian border. 

The deaths came a day after Russia launched a heavy missile strike on Ukraine as part of the ongoing war between the two eastern European countries. 

It is not known where the missile came from or whether it was deliberate. The latest from Polish authorities is that the missile “fell” on their territory. 

Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky said the strike was “a very significant escalation and action is needed,” as his Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called for an “immediate” NATO summit.

The US has yet to confirm reports of the strike. 

What is NATO?  

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is an alliance of 30 nations, 28 European nations and two North American, that was established in 1949 to protect the member states' freedom and security. 

Member states include Poland, the USA, the UK, France and Germany. 

NATO activated its response force of 40,000 personnel for the first time in history after Russia invaded Ukraine in February. 

What if they activate Article Five?

Article Five is a promise of collective defence. Basically, if someone attacks one of the countries they may have attacked all of them. 

The missile strike on Poland could therefore mark a pivotal point in the war between Russia and Ukraine if other nations join the conflict. 

The attack could also trigger Article Four of NATO, which allows members to bring issues of concern to the alliance’s decision making body. 

Effectively if Article Four is triggered, it would mean the members of NATO would then hold discussions on what action, if any, they take next. 

What Russia is saying

Russia's Defence Ministry has denied targeting the border and accused Polish media of trying to deliberately escalate the situation and said photos of the wreckage “have nothing to do with Russian weapons." 

"The statements of the Polish media and officials about the alleged fall of 'Russian' missiles in the area of ​​the settlement of Przewodow is a deliberate provocation in order to escalate the situation," said the statement. 

What does this mean for Australia? 

It is unclear what this means for Australia and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has yet to speak on the missile strike. 

Albanese is currently in Bali for the G20 Summit. 

Australia is not a member state of NATO but is a global partner to the treaty and contributed to NATO-led efforts in Afghanistan. 

Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Wednesday condemned the missile strikes and renewed calls on Russia to withdraw troops from Ukraine 

Australia stands with Ukraine in condemning Russia’s deadly missile attacks.

Reports these missiles have also struck Polish territory are deeply concerning.

We again call on Russia to withdraw its forces and end its illegal, immoral war.

— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) November 15, 2022

Anthony Albanese's response

Anthony Albanese has condemned Russia’s “reckless and dangerous use of force” after a missile landed in Poland killing two people, expressing his condolences to European leaders and backing calls for a full investigation before an “appropriate response”.

The Prime Minister met with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali, telling them the missile attacks aimed at Ukraine were “deeply concerning”.

“Russia's reckless and dangerous use of force promotes danger for the entire region and we've seen that overnight and I send my condolences to Poland on the loss of life,” he said.

“As (NATO) Secretary-General Stoltenberg and President Biden have said, we need to have a full investigation as to how this has occurred, and the circumstances. 

“It must take place and then we should consider what as an international community is an appropriate response.”

Mr Michel welcomed the talks with Mr Albanese saying the EU shared “the same vision” for the world and the same values as Australia.

“We all want to work based on common international rules. We want peace, we want prosperity,” he said.

Ms von der Leyen said there was a strong bond between Europe and Australia and she looked forward to concluding the EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement which both sides have committed to fast-tracking.

She said her thoughts were with the victims in Poland and condemned Russia for its attacks on Ukraine, which were  “systematically destroying critical infrastructure, thus, cutting off children, women, men from water, electricity and heating”.