WARSAW, Poland: In a recent interview published on Monday, Polish President Andrzej Duda stated that Poland is prepared to host nuclear arms if NATO decides to deploy them in response to Russia’s reinforced armaments in Belarus and Kaliningrad.
Duda emphasized Poland’s readiness to support NATO’s eastern flank and reinforce regional security amidst escalating tensions.
As a NATO member and staunch supporter of Ukraine, Poland shares borders with Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, a key ally of Moscow. Duda’s remarks follow discussions during his visit to New York, where he engaged in talks at the UN and discussed the Ukraine conflict with former US President Donald Trump. Previously, Duda met with US President Joe Biden during a visit to Washington DC in March.
The prospect of nuclear cooperation between Poland and the United States has been under discussion for some time, according to Duda. He reiterated Poland’s preparedness to host nuclear arms, citing Russia’s increasing militarization of Kaliningrad and reports of nuclear weapons being relocated to Belarus, as confirmed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in June 2023.
At the NATO summit in Vilnius, alliance members pledged to take necessary measures to ensure the credibility, effectiveness, safety, and security of the nuclear deterrent mission. Duda’s comments underscore Poland’s commitment to regional security and its role within NATO amid evolving geopolitical challenges in Eastern Europe.
