Rutte: Russian attack on train near Polish border will not weaken Western support for Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the striking of a passenger train by a Russian drone near Ukraine’s border with Poland would not shake Western countries’ support for Kyiv.

According to Rutte, the attack is evidence of the desperation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is facing the continuation of Western aid to Ukraine.

“He believes he can stop us from supporting Ukraine and damage our unity. But he is wrong. Our response must be to increase our support,” Rutte said.

The incident took place on Sunday, when a Russian drone struck a passenger train near Ukraine’s border with Poland. Ukrainian Railways said that shortly beforehand, a train carrying former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, former CIA Director David Petraeus, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt and several European security advisers had passed through the same area.

Ukrainian authorities said the diplomatic train had departed earlier than planned, so it could not be ruled out that it had been the target of the Russian attack.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Moscow’s attacks were aimed at spreading fear and dividing Europeans. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, also described the attack as a direct signal to the West.

“We must do the opposite: demonstrate that we stand with Ukraine and that we are not afraid,” Kallas said.

She warned that backing down in the face of Russia’s threats would open the way for Moscow to pursue its aim of subjugating Ukraine. A spokesperson for Kallas confirmed that the European Union would continue its assistance to Ukraine, also referring to the recent decision to provide a €6.1 billion tranche from the €90 billion loan for Kyiv.

The train was struck as part of a broad wave of Russian overnight attacks across Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched more than 450 drones and missiles. The attacks killed at least six people and wounded more than 40 others, while Ukrainian forces said they had shot down or neutralized 405 drones and four missiles.

Ukraine’s western regions, which are generally considered less at risk than Kyiv and areas near the front line, were particularly affected by the attacks. As a result, air-raid warnings were also activated in Poland.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the country’s security services and allied intelligence agencies had informed Poland about the possibility of such an attack. He warned that the coming weeks and months could be characterized by an escalation of Russian actions.