Zelensky’s adviser: “It is important” to wait for the results of the investigation into the rocket explosion in Poland

HALIFAX — The chief adviser to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, said that it is still too early to definitively state whether a rocket exploded in of Polandhaving killed two civilians, was shot at Russia or Ukraine.

The comments, made by Zelenskyi’s adviser Andrei Yermak, continue Ukraine’s rejection of the idea that it was a Ukrainian missile that accidentally entered Polish airspace, but soften some of Zelensky’s earlier comments that there was “no doubt” that Russia was responsible.

“It’s a bit wrong to say it’s a Ukrainian or Russian missile” until Poland receives the results of the investigation, Yermak told participants of the Halifax International Security Conference via teleconference.

Ukraine is “very closely cooperating” with Poland to “investigate what actually happened,” Yermak said. “We really have to wait for the results of the investigation.”

A the projectile hit near the border between Poland and Ukraine on Nov. 15, raising questions about whether Russia deliberately carried out the attack – potentially sparking an explosive war with NATO – or whether the strike was an accident.

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Hours after the blast, Moscow denied responsibility for the incident, saying claims that the missile was fired by Russian forces were a deliberate provocation by the West to escalate tensions. Meanwhile, Poland has made it clear that it may invoke NATO’s Article 4, which would begin formal consultations between the allies on the issue.

A day later, Polish President Andrzej Duda said that the initial results of the investigation indicated this errant Ukrainian missile fired from the Russian-made S-300, and NATO and US leaders later supported the Polish assessment.

However, Ukrainian officials continue to say that the investigation will prove that Ukraine is not responsible for the incident, and Zelensky said on November 16 that he had “no doubt” that it was a Russian missile. In accordance with PoliticsU.S. officials have pushed Zelensky and other European leaders to refrain from making statements attributing the missile to any country until the investigation is complete.

Zelensky, who spoke at the forum on Friday via a recorded video message, did not mention the incident in Poland. However, the Ukrainian leader hit the headlines after saying that Moscow had offered Ukraine a “short truce”, which he rejected out of concern that Russia could use the time to rebuild its forces.

During his speech in Halifax, Yermak appeared to back away from that statement, saying: “Specifically, we have not seen any bid from the Russian side,” pointing to Zelensky’s 10-point peace proposal as the best way to mediate an end to the conflict. .