Poland pushes US to place nukes in its borders to deter Russia
Poland’s President Andrzej Duda has once again made a plea to the U.S. to place nuclear weapons within its borders as a show of deterrence against Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine. This request was first made to the Biden administration in 2022 but was never agreed to. However, Duda has not given up on the idea and has now addressed his appeal to the Trump administration in a recent interview with the Financial Times.
Duda pointed out Russia’s actions of relocating their nuclear weapons to Belarus without seeking permission as a reason for his request. He emphasized the importance of such a move in light of the security threats faced by Poland, as a NATO member sharing borders with Russia’s Kaliningrad region, Ukraine, and Belarus.
While the White House has not immediately responded to Duda’s plea, it is unlikely that the Trump administration would agree to such a request at a time when efforts are being made to end the conflict in Ukraine. The ongoing war in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s invasion three years ago, has led to negotiations for a ceasefire between the U.S. and Ukraine, contingent on Russia’s acceptance of the terms.
Despite the potential reluctance of the U.S. to place nuclear weapons in Poland, there is another option within the NATO alliance. French President Emmanuel Macron has initiated discussions on a strategy to extend France’s nuclear deterrence to other EU nations, in light of concerns about the U.S.’s reliability as a defense partner in countering Russia.
While the specifics of France’s strategy remain unclear, Poland has reportedly been in talks with France about the possibility of nuclear sharing. This concept is not new, as during the Cold War, the U.S. deterrence umbrella aimed to protect NATO allies under America’s nuclear power in the face of threats from other nuclear-armed nations.
Russia has expressed opposition to France’s strategy, calling it “extremely confrontational.” However, France’s role as the only nuclear power within the EU, with the third-largest nuclear stockpile in NATO, makes it a potential partner for Poland in ensuring security against threats from Russia, China, or North Korea.
In conclusion, President Duda’s appeal for the placement of nuclear weapons in Poland as a deterrent to Russian aggression reflects the growing concerns about security in the region. While the U.S. may not be willing to agree to this request, the discussions with France on nuclear sharing present an alternative option for bolstering defense capabilities within the NATO alliance.
