Moscow has declared that any NATO nuclear weapons stationed in Poland would become a “priority target” for Russia, heightening the already palpable tensions between NATO and Russia. This statement was made by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and reported by Reuters citing local media sources.
In a context where Eastern Europe’s security landscape is increasingly complicated, Ryabkov emphasized that such a move would not enhance Poland’s security but rather place it at the forefront of Russia’s military planning priorities. His comments reflect Russia’s concern over NATO’s actions which it perceives as destabilizing.
The possibility of nuclear arms being deployed in Poland was addressed by Polish President Andrzej Duda. In a recent interview with the newspaper “Fakt,” Duda mentioned that Poland is prepared to host nuclear weapons as part of the NATO nuclear sharing program if it were decided by the alliance. This step, according to him, would bolster the security of NATO’s eastern flank.
President Duda also highlighted the broader context of increasing militarization by Russia in the Kaliningrad region and the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus, suggesting a reactive measure to these developments.
On the domestic front, the idea of extending the nuclear sharing program to Eastern Europe is met with caution. Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, emphasized that any decision in this regard must be a collective one within NATO and handled with utmost confidentiality and determination.
Kosiniak-Kamysz also pointed out the delicate nature of public discussions on such sensitive topics, indicating that discretion is paramount in such strategic matters. He expressed a preference for enhancing Poland’s security but noted that public debates could lead to restraint among NATO partners.