Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, NATO countries, including France, have always been careful not to become “co-belligerents” in this conflict. In fact, if they largely side with kyiv, Ukraine is not a member of the Alliance. Unlike Poland, where American soldiers are stationed in particular.
Warsaw said overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday that a “Russian-made projectile” hit the ground, killing two Polish citizens. While NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg called an “emergency meeting” on Wednesday about the deadly explosion, Poland said it was considering activating article 4 of the treaty.
Article 4 when a member country feels threatened
This article 4 establishes that “the parties shall consult when, in the opinion of one of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of one of the parties is threatened.”
It has already been activated several times, notably in February 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Several Eastern European countries then asked NATO to establish a defensive system, material support for Ukraine and the activation of the NATO Response Force.
But this article 4 is accompanied above all by article 5, which provides for a mutual assistance mechanism in the event of a characterized attack.
According to article 5, an attack on one member is an attack on all
Article 5 of the treaty states that an attack on a member triggers a response from the Alliance. It introduces the principle of collective defense and states that an attack on one member country is an attack on all member countries.
“An armed attack against one or more of them that occurs in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack directed against all parties,” the treaty says.
The objective is then “to restore and guarantee security in the North Atlantic region.” The obligation belongs to each member country, which decides what type of aid will materialize, without excluding the use of armed force. Assistance also depends on the material resources available to each member country.
Article 5 has only been invoked once: by the United States after the attacks of September 11, 2001. NATO then led a coalition in Afghanistan. This article serves above all to deter any possible aggression, particularly since several NATO members are equipped with nuclear weapons.
NATO members caution
Thus, if it turns out that the missile that hit Polish territory was fired by Russia, article 5 may be activated. However, the Élysée Palace, which warns of “significant risks of escalation” after this missile launch in Poland affirms that the use of this article would not be automatic.
“However, it is not about making war on Russia (…). There are other ways to show our solidarity with Ukraine,” continues the Elysee.
NATO members do not want to “speculate” on the origin of the shooting. If Warsaw has put its army on high alert, Polish President Andrzej Duda has declared that his country still does not have “unequivocal evidence” about the perpetrator of the missile launch and spoke of “an isolated act.” France has called for “the greatest caution” about the origin of the shot. Joe Biden, for his part, considered it “unlikely” that it would be launched from Russia.
For his part, Volodymyr Zelensky immediately called for coordinated “action” and a European response, accusing Moscow. Russia, she denies it and speaks of “intentional provocation with the aim of creating an escalation of the situation”.
Source: BFM TV
