On September 11, the Center for Civic Energy "Vezha" hosted an interview featuring director Vadym Klachuk and Ivan Us, a leading consultant at the National Institute for Strategic Studies. The discussion focused on recent drone attacks on Poland, NATO’s response, and possible EU and US sanctions against India and China for purchasing Russian energy resources.
The interview outlined that 23 drones recently violated Polish airspace, with some reportedly specifically targeting Polish territory. According to the experts, NATO’s response was insufficient, and the anti-drone defense employed was too costly. The speakers emphasized that Ukraine’s experience in countering such threats could significantly benefit NATO allies.
Risks to NATO and EU credibility among Ukrainians were also examined. The experts noted that increased skepticism can be exploited by Russian propaganda and argued that there are currently no viable alternatives to these alliances. They called for reform and strengthening of Western coalitions rather than distancing from them.
The discussion turned to prospective sanctions against India and China. The US is seeking tariffs on these countries, but this approach’s effectiveness is questioned; India continues to increase its imports, and China remains unphased. The EU is expected to focus on targeted sanctions against businesses involved in Russian oil trading and related financial operations.
In conclusion, the experts asserted that Europe has sufficient financial resources to strengthen its defense and address threats from Russia. The main issue, they argued, is the need for political will among EU and NATO members to respond effectively to emerging security challenges.
