By: Karen Velazquez

The events of September 9th, when numerous Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace and several were shot down by Polish and allied defences, mark a grave escalation in the ongoing war against Ukraine. Airports were temporarily closed, NATO consultations under Article 4 were invoked, and leaders in Warsaw and Brussels were clear: this was no accident. It was a deliberate provocation that underscores how quickly regional conflict can spill across borders and destabilize entire regions.

Since then, Polish officials have reported increased drone activity along their border with Belarus. The message is unmistakable: Europe’s security (and by extension global security) is at risk. As NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated, these incursions are “reckless and unacceptable.”

For WFM-Canada, this moment highlights the urgency of our core pillar: Peace and Security. A war that began with aggression against Ukraine is now threatening NATO’s eastern flank, raising the possibility of a broader confrontation. The international community must act not through further escalation but rather by recommitting to diplomacy, accountability, and restraint.

Yet global governance mechanisms remain paralyzed. The United Nations Security Council, designed to maintain peace, is too often blocked by the veto wielded by its permanent members even in cases of mass atrocity or blatant aggression. This is why we are advocating for Canada to take leadership at the UN General Assembly and request an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice. Such an opinion would clarify the illegality of vetoes used to shield states from accountability when they themselves are engaged in crimes of aggression or atrocity crimes.

What you can do
We call on our members and allies to act:

• Write to your Member of Parliament or government representative urging Canada to champion this initiative at the UNGA.

• Volunteer with WFM-C to support our campaign for UN reform.

• Donate to WFM-C to sustain this work for a safer and more democratic world.

This dangerous moment must become a turning point toward peace, not a step toward greater conflict. Together, through global solidarity and accountability we can strengthen international law and build the foundations of a just and peaceful future.