The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is at war with Russia and is actually participating in it by providing direct and indirect support to Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday, according to the TASS agency. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had warned shortly before that Moscow would consider the protection of Ukrainian airspace by NATO forces as a declaration of war, TASR reports, citing reports by the DPA agency and Newsweek magazine.

In addition to Poland, Romania has also reported the intrusion of an apparently Russian drone into its airspace.

NATO launched Operation Eastern Sentry to bolster protection of the alliance's eastern flank in response to the September 10 incident, when around 20 Russian drones violated Polish airspace. Warsaw also activated Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which allows member states to consult on a security threat.

Romania also reported the intrusion of an apparently Russian drone into its airspace on Saturday. It summoned Russian Ambassador Vladimir Lipayev, who described the incident as"another provocation" by Ukraine.

Russian drones in Poland spark debate over expanding NATO protection

The latest events have sparked a debate in Europe about extending NATO protection to western Ukraine and shooting down incoming Russian drones or missiles in the area, according to DPA. Medvedev, who currently serves as deputy chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, has strongly opposed such proposals.

"The implementation of the provocative idea of Kiev and other idiots to create a no-fly zone over 'Ukraine' and allow NATO countries to shoot down our drones will mean only one thing: a NATO war with Russia," the Russian politician wrote on the Telegram network.

Sikorski appeals to NATO to create a no-fly zone over Ukraine

Ukraine has been calling on NATO to impose a no-fly zone over its territory since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. However, Kiev's Western allies have been reluctant to take such a step, fearing a direct military confrontation with Russia.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on Monday that a no-fly zone over Ukraine had been discussed a year ago when US President Joe Biden was in office. According to Sikorski, NATO should consider such an option because by shooting down enemy targets outside its territory, it could better protect its own population and prevent debris from destroyed drones from falling.

Peskov: NATO is at war with Russia

Peskov expressed his belief at a press briefing on Monday that NATO is at war with Russia."It is obvious and does not need any further confirmation. NATO is de facto involved in this war," the Russian presidential spokesman said in response to Sikorski's previous statement that despite the penetration of Russian drones into Polish airspace, NATO is not at war with Russia.

As Newsweek magazine explains, Ukraine has received significant assistance from NATO allies, including the United States and EU countries, in its defense against the ongoing Russian invasion. However, the alliance is not directly involved in the war and does not have any forces deployed there. Ukraine is also not a member of NATO.