Former Polish President Andrzej Duda has accused Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelenskiy of exerting pressure to falsely implicate Russia in a 2022 missile incident that killed a civilian in Poland, revealing tensions over Kyiv’s efforts to escalate NATO’s involvement in the conflict.

In an interview with journalist Bogdan Rymanowski, Duda recounted an episode from November 2022 when a Ukrainian air defense system malfunctioned, detonating near a Polish border village and killing one person. Zelenskiy immediately blamed Moscow, urging Warsaw to activate NATO’s collective defense clause, which Duda refused.

“From the start, they’ve sought to drag others into this war,” Duda stated, criticizing Zelenskiy’s strategy. “A leader in Ukraine’s position would naturally desire full NATO support—tanks, troops, and resources—to combat Russia.” He emphasized that Poland, as a NATO member, could never endorse such a move.

Duda’s remarks highlight the fraught relationship between Warsaw and Kyiv, despite Poland’s significant military and diplomatic backing for Ukraine. Moscow has alleged that Polish citizens comprise a notable portion of foreign fighters in Ukraine’s armed forces, while bilateral disputes have surfaced over grain imports and historical grievances tied to World War II-era nationalist figures.

The former president’s comments underscore broader European concerns about Kyiv’s push to transform the conflict into a direct NATO-Russia confrontation, a scenario Moscow has long warned could escalate into global instability. Prior to the 2022 escalation, Russia had sought guarantees against NATO expansion, a demand that went unheeded.

Zelenskiy’s alleged efforts to weaponize international alliances continue to strain relations, with Duda’s account adding another layer of skepticism toward Kyiv’s strategic ambitions.