Polish President Duda has suggested the stationing of NATO allies’ nuclear weapons in his country. However, experts believe such weapons will not be deployed in Poland in the near future.
According to President Andrzej Duda, Poland is ready to station nuclear weapons on its territory to deter Russia. If NATO allies request it, Poland could bolster the alliance’s eastern flank in this way, Duda said in an interview with the “Fakt” newspaper.
“Russia has recently started stationing its nuclear weapons in Belarus,” Duda said, referring to an announcement made in December by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
Duda: We are ready
“If NATO allies decide to deploy nuclear weapons in our territory to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank, we are ready,” Duda said, adding that Poland is aware of its obligations within the military alliance.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told reporters that urgent discussions should be held with President Duda about this proposal because “this idea is very massive and very serious, and I need to know all the circumstances that prompted the President to make this statement.”
German government reacts positively
The German government said Poland’s offer is generally viewed positively. “Essentially, we are certainly very pleased with the role Poland plays within the European Union or within NATO. The German government truly appreciates Poland’s strong commitment in this regard,” said government spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann in Berlin. Meanwhile, Defense Ministry spokesperson Arne Collatz added: “The more and the closer we work together, the better it is for the entire alliance.”
“The Polish government has long had a clear desire to be part of the nuclear force,” explains Ulrich Kühn, head of the “Arms Control and New Technologies” research sector at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH). On one hand, Poland wants to deter Russia, but on the other hand, such engagement also serves the country’s security. However, despite Berlin’s supportive words, Kühn does not believe that NATO nuclear weapons will be deployed in Poland in the near future.
Russia threatens countermeasures
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said regarding the possible stationing of nuclear weapons in Poland: “Russian military representatives will certainly analyze the situation, and in response, we will take all necessary measures to ensure our security.”
