Polish PM warns critical months ahead in face of Russian threat

Polish PM warns critical months ahead in face of Russian threatImage source, EPAImage caption, Polish and Lithuanian forces carried out a joint military exercise in late JuneByAmy WalkerPublished16 minutes agoPoland's prime minister has said the country is preparing for "various" scenarios and that the coming months could be "critical" concerning the threat from Russia.Donald Tusk was responding to media reports that Moscow was planning an armed "provocation" in Poland to test Nato's resolve, citing US intelligence."I don't mean to scare anyone but the coming months may truly be critical, also due to the changing nature of the war. These concerns are particularly palpable in the Baltic states," Tusk told reporters on Friday.Polish news outlet Onet reported that sources close to President Karol Nawrocki had said the US had issued several warnings to Warsaw about a plot to attack the country.The White House and US State Department did not respond to the BBC's requests for comment.Under the purported plans, also published by the Telegraph in the UK on Friday, Polish infrastructure could be targeted by missiles or drones, or soldiers could be sent into the Nato state.The reports suggest the aim would be to place pressure on Ukraine's western allies to suspend aid to the country as it continues to fight against Russia's full-scale invasion, launched in 2022.Asked about the reports, Tusk said: "Let's not be afraid, we are preparing for various situations, but we cannot ignore them... We are aware of the threats, also thanks to information from our allies".Polish President Nawrocki is set to attend a Nato summit with leaders of other members of the defensive alliance in Turkey next week.Secretary General Mark Rutte has said the gathering will show Europeans are heeding US President Donald Trump's longstanding calls to increase their defence spending, while leaders are also expected to...