In a statement released on Thursday the Belgian Foreign Ministry says that it summoned the Russian ambassador on Thursday afternoon. The ambassador was summoned over Russia’s violation of Polish airspace earlier this week.
The Foreign Ministry’s statement read “At the request of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, the Russian chargé d'Affaires and the appointed ambassador were summoned to the Foreign Ministry". During Thursday afternoon’s meeting Belgium condemned the "deliberate violation" of an EU member state's airspace "in the strongest terms".
The Belgian Foreign Ministry describes this as an “Aggressive and reckless act that constitutes a new, serious escalation by Russia against the EU and NATO. It directly endangers the security of our citizens, regional stability, and international peace”.
Belgium demands that Russia immediately cease all violations of EU and NATO member states’ airspace as well as "any military provocation that could increase tensions in Europe and any action that fuels regional instability and undermines collective security".
Belgium stands 100% behind Poland and the country’s efforts to protect its eastern border. Belgian military personnel help in the operation against the Russian drones that entered Polish airspace on Tuesday night.
As the new Russian ambassador to Belgium still has to present his credentials, he has not yet officially taken up his post, the Russian chargé d'affaires was also summoned to Thursday afternoon’s meeting.