Poland does not want to host allied nuclear weapons on its territory, despite growing concerns about a possible Russian invasion of NATO territory. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Defense Pawel Zalevsky on Thursday at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
“I would like to say very clearly and openly: Poland does not want to have nuclear warheads on its territory,” Zalevsky told journalists. He added that Poland “wants to participate in NATO’s nuclear deterrence, which does not mean having a nuclear warhead on our territory.” Zalevsky’s statement was the most categorical position of Warsaw on this issue.
Poland’s position on nuclear deterrence
Although Poland has previously expressed skepticism about the deployment of nuclear weapons, it has also reported negotiations with the United States at an early stage regarding the potential expansion of American nuclear deterrence in Europe. At the same time, Warsaw joined the French initiative aimed at expanding Paris‘ nuclear deterrence in Europe.
Separately, Polish President Karol Nawrocki left open the possibility that Warsaw could eventually develop its own nuclear weapons program.
Threat of Russian attack on NATO
Western officials have warned that Russia could attack NATO territory by the end of the decade, while the latest U.S. intelligence assessments suggest that an attack could occur even sooner.
Source: Politico
