Poland does not want allied nuclear warheads stationed on its territory. At the same time, Warsaw wants to participate in NATO’s nuclear-sharing program.
This was reported by Politico, citing a statement by Polish Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski.
“Poland does not want to have nuclear warheads on its territory. We want to participate in NATO nuclear deterrence, but this does not mean having a nuclear warhead on our territory,” he said.
Politico notes that this is Warsaw’s most categorical statement on the issue. Poland had previously expressed skepticism about hosting nuclear weapons, while at the same time reporting early-stage talks with the United States about a possible expansion of the U.S. nuclear deterrent in Europe.
Poland has also joined a French initiative aimed at expanding the role of Paris’ nuclear deterrent in Europe.
Separately, Polish President Karol Nawrocki has previously left open the possibility that Warsaw could in the future begin developing its own nuclear weapons program.
Western officials have warned that Russia could attack NATO territory by the end of the decade, while recent U.S. intelligence suggests it could happen sooner.
