Sources & Methods

Europe on edge from threats of Russia's growing escalation. Can NATO defend itself?

Sources & Methods

Show Notes

Russia threatens attacks beyond Ukraine's border and rattles Europe. Is it ready?

This month Poland Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned about intelligence assessments suggesting that Russia is planning drone and missile strikes against countries that support Ukraine, including Poland and Romania.

How serious is that threat? And if that happens, is NATO ready to defend itself?

Would the U.S. honor its NATO collective defense commitments and jump in to help?

Those are some questions host Mary Louise Kelly put to Romania's Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia ?oiu and Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski.

The conversation took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly before a live audience at the Council of Foreign Relations in New York City.

Email the show at [email protected]

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include archive access and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

More from Sources & Methods

Oct 22, 2026

France has been rocked by protests and riots. The far-right is on the rise across Europe. All while, the United States is backing away from Ukraine. President Trump has been trying to obliterate the post-WWII order since his first term … is he finally succeeding?

Oct 15, 2026

A crucial military communication system was disrupted in Ukraine this week, as Russian attacks pounded energy sites.

Oct 8, 2026

A German spy chief is arrested for treasonous espionage. What exactly is he accused of doing? Also, two tech billionaires are leading the Pentagon’s future of war project. Is that a problem?

Oct 1, 2026

For the second time since the 2003 invasion, the last American troops have left Iraq.

Aug 25, 2025

National security, unlocked. Each Thursday, host Mary Louise Kelly and a team of NPR correspondents discuss the biggest national security news of the week.

See all episodes →