France will deploy three Rafale fighter jets to help Poland protect its airspace after this week's drone incursions into its airspace, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday on X.
"The security of the European continent is our top priority. We will not give in to Russia's increasing intimidation," he said.
A French military official said the warplanes had already been deployed to Poland prior to Tuesday's incursions.
There can be no mistake with such a large-scale attack on Poland, a Polish official said in response to US President Donald Trump suggestion that an incursion by Russian drones on might have been accidental.
"I think this is a message that should reach President Trump today: there's no question of a mistake - this was a deliberate Russian attack," deputy defense minister Cezary Tomczyk told local TV broadcaster Polsat News.
Early on Wednesday, Poland shot down drones in its airspace with the backing of military aircraft from its NATO allies, the first time a member of the Western military alliance is known to have fired shots during Russia's war in Ukraine.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who visits Kyiv on Friday, also responded to Trump's words. "On the night that 19 Russian drones crossed into Poland, 400 (drones) plus 40 missiles crossed into Ukraine. These were not mistakes," he said in a video posted on X.
At Poland's request, the UN Security Council will meet in New York on Friday. The meeting will begin at 1500 local time, Polish foreign affairs ministry said.
