The New Zealand Government is calling for "cool heads" after Russian-produced missiles landed in Polish territory, killing two innocent people near the border with Ukraine.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has also told Kiwis concerned about the potential breakout of World War III to take heart from caution being exercised by world leaders.
Poland is a member of the NATO military alliance, sparking concern the deaths could pull other countries, including the United States, into conflict with Russia. If a NATO member is attacked, it can trigger a specific provision calling for other members to defend it.
NATO members will soon hold a crisis meeting to decide the next steps. It's not yet known if the rockets landing in Poland was a deliberate escalation by Russia, if it occurred by accident, or if it was Russia that launched the rockets.
Speaking from Vietnam, Ardern said reports of missiles landing in Poland were "concerning".
"First and foremost, I want to extend the deep condolences of New Zealand for the loss of those lives. Secondly, we are utterly consistent in the ongoing condemnation of Russia's illegal war in Ukraine. We also condemn all targeting of Ukrainian infrastructure. As I said in the presence of the Russian Foreign Minister, this war must end."
She said NATO members are currently trying to establish the facts. Ardern said New Zealand would be listening to information from NATO members.
"We await further information around what precisely has happened, but in the meantime, our condemnation remains."
However, regardless of whether the missiles landing in Poland was deliberate or an accident, she said the war in Ukraine is illegal.
Ardern was asked for her message to New Zealanders concerned World War III may soon break out.
"Take heart from the fact that there is caution being exercised here to establish the facts and what precisely has occurred. It doesn't change the fundamental position though that this war is wrong, it is illegal."
She said it was helpful that world leaders are meeting "at this time of heightened pressure, heightened anxiety, heightened tension".
"I think everyone, of course, all the way through, have been cautious around what the impact of escalation would mean, which is why we want to make sure all the facts are established."
Acting Prime Minister Grant Robertson said it is a "deeply concerning development".
"Obviously we are thinking of those who have been affected and killed in Poland. We send them our best wishes, but also our support to the government of Poland as they deal with this," he told reporters at Parliament.
"There is still a lot of details that we don't know and it is time for cool heads, but it reinforces that this illegal invasion that Russia has undertaken in Ukraine has serious consequences."
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta also cautioned drawing conclusions just yet.
"I think at this moment we should await the considerations and deliberations of NATO and once that set of considerations has happened, we will certainly take on board the views coming out of there," she said.
The minister was also asked if she was concerned the war in Ukraine could spiral out of control due to an accident on behalf of Russia.
"I am concerned that there is a high potential for escalation, which is why it's important for New Zealand to await the full consideration of NATO and the facts in relation to the event that's happened and sadly loss of life has occurred."
In the United States, the Pentagon, White House and US State Department said they could not corroborate the reports from Poland and were working with the Polish government to gather more information.
"We are aware of the press reports alleging that two Russian missiles have struck a location inside Poland near the Ukraine border. I can tell you that we don't have any information at this time to corroborate those reports and are looking into this further," Pentagon spokesperson Brig Gen Patrick Ryder told a news briefing, while the State Department described the report as "incredibly concerning".
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he had been briefed by his foreign and defence ministers on the matter.
"We are urgently looking into reports of a missile strike in Poland and will support our allies as they establish what has happened," he said. "We are also coordinating with our international partners, including NATO."
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was "alarmed" by the reports.
"We are closely monitoring the situation and are in touch with Polish authorities and partners and allies," she said on Twitter.
"I extend my condolences and my strongest message of support and solidarity with Poland and our Ukrainian friends."
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the reports were "serious" and made it very important to establish what had happened.
"We are in close contact with Poland and our other NATO partners," he wrote on social media. "It is important now to establish what exactly has happened."
Estonia's foreign ministry said the news from Poland was "most concerning", adding Estonia was ready to defend "every inch of NATO territory".
Latvia Deputy Prime Minister Artis Pabriks also sent condolences to Poland in a Twitter post.
"Criminal Russian regime fired missiles which target not only Ukrainian civilians but also landed on NATO territory in Poland," he wrote. "Latvia fully stands with Polish friends and condemns this crime."
Russia was pounding cities across Ukraine with missiles on Tuesday, in attacks Kyiv said were the heaviest wave of missile strikes in nearly nine months of war. Some hit Lviv, which is less than 80kms from the border with Poland.
Reuters / Newshub.
