Biden says 'unlikely' missile fired from Russia

Missile explodes

The US president says "preliminary information contests" the possibility missile was fired from Russia. Follow DW for the latest.

NATO and G7 leaders pledge continuing support for Ukraine

Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure have been condemned in a joint statement issued by NATO and G7 leaders on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali.

The explosion in the eastern part of Poland was discussed with a resolve to fully support and assist Poland's ongoing investigation. Leaders agreed to keep in "close touch to determine appropriate next steps as the investigation proceeds."

Support for Ukraine was reaffirmed, including readiness to "hold Russia accountable for its brazen attacks in Ukrainian communities."

UN chief 'very concerned' by explosion in Poland

The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres is "very concerned by the reports of a missile exploding on Polish territory," a statement issued by the UN said.

According to the statement, Guterres stressed that it was "absolutely essential to avoid escalating the war in Ukraine."

Guterres extended condolences to the families of the victims and hoped for a thorough investigation.

'Unlikely' missile fired from Russia — Biden

US President Joe Biden has met with NATO and G7 leaders in hastily arranged talks, following the explosion in Poland which killed two.

Biden said it was there was agreement to support Poland's investigation and told reporters "I'm going to make sure we figure out exactly what happened."

When asked whether a missile could have been fired from Russia, Biden said: "There is preliminary information that contests that, I don't want to say that until we completely investigate."

Biden then said it was "unlikely" that it was fired from Russia judging by trajectory.

Blinken pledges 'close coordination' with Poland, Ukraine

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had called the foreign ministers of Poland and Ukraine "regarding the explosion in eastern Poland," and they had "pledged to remain closely coordinated in the days ahead as the investigation proceeds and we determine appropriate next steps."

The comments on Twitter follow an earlier statement released by the White House in which President Joe Biden offered condolences and full support and assistance with Poland's investigation into the "explosion" in eastern Ukraine.

Poland's position to be presented to UN Security Council

The Permanent Representative of Poland to the UN, Krzysztof Szczerski, said that Poland's stance would be presented before the UN Security Council.

"On Wednesday, at the afternoon session of the Un Security Council, I will present the Polish position on the current situation," Szczerski said in a tweet.

It comes after Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement saying, "A Russian-made missile fell, killing two citizens in the Republic of Poland."

This was followed by calls for calm from the country's prime minister and a statement from Poland's President Andrzej Duda to say the circumstances were still under investigation.

"We do not for the moment have unequivocal evidence of who fired the missile. An investigation is ongoing. It was most probably Russian-made," Duda told reporters on Wednesday.

Italian PM expresses 'solidarity' with Poland

Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with the government and people of Poland in a post on Twitter.

"I am now meeting with NATO Allies on the fringes of the G20 to check the facts and consider next steps," Meloni said while highlighting the gravity of the situation.

"It is a confirmation of the seriousness and consequences of the Russian aggression against Ukraine," Meloni said.

Biden offers Poland 'full US support'

US President Joe Biden has spoken to Poland's President Andrzej Duda after two people were killed in an apparent missile strike, the circumstances of which have yet to be determined.

"President Biden offered full US support for and assistance with Poland's investigation. President Biden reaffirmed the United States' ironclad commitment to NATO," a White House statement read.

The leaders said that their teams would remain in close communication "to determine next steps as the investigation proceeds."

Polish PM calls for calm

Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has called for calm after a missile killed two people in a Polish village near the border with Ukraine.

"I am calling on all Poles to remain calm in the face of this tragedy... We must exercise restraint and caution," Morawiecki said following emergency government talks in Warsaw.

Meanwhile, Polish news station Radio ZET NEWS cited Poland's President Andrzej Duda as saying that there was no conclusive evidence as to who fired the missile and that investigations were underway.

The news station reported the president as saying that it was most likely a Russian-made rocket.

Germany offers condolences, reiterates support for Poland

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has spoken to Poland's President Adrzej Duda over the phone to offer condolences and also pledge support, according to government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit.

"Poland will closely investigate the circumstances of the incident in which two citizens died last night," Hebestreit said on Twitter. "Germany stands close to our NATO partner Poland," the German government spokesman said.

NATO to hold urgent talks Wednesday

A NATO spokesperson says the secretary general of the alliance Jens Stoltenberg would be holding urgent talks on Wednesday with ambassadors from member states.

"The Secretary General will chair an emergency meeting of NATO ambassadors tomorrow to discuss this tragic incident," NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said.

Poland summons Russian ambassador over 'Russian-made missile'

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Poland has released a statement to say that "a Russian-made missile fell, killing two citizens in the Republic of Poland."

The statement issued by ministry spokesperson Lukasz Jasina said that the ambassador of the Russian Federation had been summoned and "demanded immediate detailed explanations."

British PM pledges support for allies

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak took to Twitter to say that talks between himself, the foreign secretary and the defence secretary had taken place.

Sunak said that the British government "was urgently looking into reports of a missile strike in Poland and will support our allies as they establish what has happened."

Sunak went on to say: "We are also coordinating with our international partners, including NATO."

Kremlin had no information on explosion in Poland, Ukraine denies it is theirs

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he had no information on an explosion in Poland.

"Unfortunately, I have no information on this," Peskov said in response to a question from the Reuters news agency.

Earlier Russia's Defence Ministry called reports a Russian missile had landed inside the borders of NATO member Poland a "deliberate provocation" to spread false news about Russia.

Russia pounded Ukraine's energy facilities Tuesday with its biggest barrage of missiles yet, striking targets across the country and causing widespread blackouts.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's said allegations that one of its own missiles had landed in Poland were a "conspiracy theory."

"Russia now promotes a conspiracy theory that it was allegedly a missile of Ukrainian air defense that fell on the territory of Poland. This is not true. No one should buy Russian propaganda or amplify its messages," Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter.

UK 'urgently' looking into missile reports

Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Twitter that the UK was "urgently" looking into reports of missiles landing in Polish territory.

"We are urgently looking into reports of missiles landing in Poland, and are in contact with our Polish friends and NATO allies," Cleverly's tweeted

Earlier the British politician had tweeted about "The callous targeting of Ukrainian cities with more sickening missile attacks," saying that it "shows only Putin's weakness."

EU leaders to meet on sidelines of G20

European Council President Charles Michel will call an emergency meeting of EU leaders at the G20 summit.

"I will propose a coordination meeting on Wednesday with EU leaders attending G20 here in Bali," Michel said in a tweet following a conversation with Poland's Prime Minister Mateus Morawiecki.

He assured Poland's premier of the bloc's support after the deadly blast.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said  she was "alarmed" by reports of an explosion in Poland.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and are in touch with Polish authorities and partners and allies", she said on Twitter.

Roberta Metsola, the president of the European Parliament, also said she was "deeply concerned at developments in Poland."

She added her "thoughts & solidarity are with the people of Poland."

Polish president talking to Biden

Polish President Andrzej Duda spoke with US President Joe Biden.

"The conversation between the US and Polish presidents is ongoing," Polish presidential adviser Jakub Kumoch said on Twitter.

The discussion comes after Warsaw placed its military on heightened alert after an emergency national security council meeting.

In the US, Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said the US was "looking into" media reports that Russian missiles had landed inside

Poland but he added, "when it comes to our security commitments and Article V we have been crystal clear that we will defend every inch of NATO territory."

The US State Department said Washington "will determine what happened and what appropriate next steps would be." - DW News