In a recent development reflective of rising tensions in Eastern Europe, Polish President Andrzej Duda has once again urged the United States to station nuclear weapons on Polish soil as a deterrent against Russian aggression. This plea underscores the growing anxiety within frontline NATO countries about Russia’s military ambitions.
During an interview with the Financial Times published on Thursday, Duda reiterated his previous appeal to the Biden administration, initially made in 2022, for enhanced nuclear protection. His viewpoint was further supported by Poland’s international affairs adviser, Wojciech Kolarski, who elaborated on the benefits of nuclear security measures in an interview Thursday morning on RMF FM radio. Kolarski emphasized that such a move could significantly bolster Poland’s security posture. Poland, as a NATO member situated on the alliance’s eastern boundary, shares borders with Ukraine, Belarus, and the Russian-controlled region of Kaliningrad, making its security concerns particularly acute.
In parallel, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who stands in political opposition to Duda, acknowledged ongoing discussions with France regarding President Emmanuel Macron’s suggestion to utilize France’s nuclear arsenal for continental defense against Russian threats. The proposal from the French president has been met with criticism from Moscow, which labeled the idea as “extremely confrontational.”
Tusk addressed Polish lawmakers following President Macron’s announcement of a “strategic debate” aimed at exploring the possibility of leveraging France’s nuclear capabilities to shield European allies amid fears of a potential shift in U.S. military commitments. In a national address, Macron identified Russia as a pressing threat to both France and Europe. It is noteworthy that France remains the sole nuclear power within the European Union, placing it in a pivotal position in discussions about Europe’s nuclear defense strategy.
