“Ready to host NATO nuclear weapons”: Poland’s move that irritates Russia

“If our allies decide to deploy nuclear weapons on our territory as part of nuclear sharing, to strengthen the eastern flank of the Bornwe are ready to do it“. The words that came out of the mouth of the President of Poland are very clear, Andrzej Duda, in favor of hosting hypothetical nuclear weapons within his country, in the event that the Atlantic Alliance decided to deploy them in a possible response to the strengthening of Russian armaments in Belarus and Kaliningrad. In Moscow, meanwhile, the Kremlin has made it known that such a move would be accompanied by unspecified measures necessary to guarantee the security of Russia. The risk of an escalation is therefore more than real.

Poland’s (possible) move

On the front line since the war broke out in Ukraine and a staunch supporter of Kiev, the Poland it is located in a highly strategic position, finding itself bordering both Kaliningrad than with the Belarus, respectively a Russian enclave in the heart of Europe and a trusted partner of the Kremlin. Considering that Moscow has strengthened its armaments in the two places mentioned, Duda has hypothesized hosting NATO nuclear weapons at home. “I look forward to meeting President Duda, because this issue directly and very clearly concerns Polish security. And I will have to understand the president’s intentions well“, said the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Tusk himself explained that he wanted Poland to be both safe and as well armed as possible, but added a warning that should not be overlooked: “I would also like every possible initiative to be, first of all, very well prepared and for us to be convinced that we want this. This idea is, I would say, massive and very serious, I would like to know all the circumstances that led the president to make this statement“.

In any case, let’s remember that the sharing agreements nuclear weapons plan to deploy and stockpile a nuclear arsenal in Europe, allowing non-nuclear-weapon states to place such weapons on their territory and participate in exercises.

Duda’s words

In the interview published by the tabloid FactDuda had declared: Russia is “recently transferring its nuclear weapons to Belarus” And “if our allies decide to deploy nuclear weapons within the framework of nuclear sharing also on our territory to strengthen the security of NATO’s eastern flank, we are ready“. Duda made it clear that Poland is aware of its obligations within the Alliance, which consists of 32 members. As part of NATO’s nuclear weapons sharing, the United States has supplied nuclear weapons to Belgium, Germany, Italy, Holland and Turkey for deployment and storage.

Moscow’s response is prompt and clear. “The armed forces will naturally analyze the situation if such plans are implemented and in any case they will do everything necessary, they will take all retaliatory measures necessary to ensure our safety“said the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskovduring the daily press conference.

Duda spoke to Polish media after his visit to New York, where he held meetings at the United Nations and discussed the war in Ukraine with the former US president Donald Trump. In March, he had already visited Washington for a meeting with the president of the United States Joe Biden. Discussions on nuclear cooperation between Poland and the United States move forward”time ago“, said the Polish president.

“I must admit that, when asked about it, I declared our opinion availability“, Duda reported regarding the contents of his talks in the USA.