Poland’s president, Andrzej Duda, has made a bold request for the US to transfer nuclear weapons to Polish soil, seeking to bolster the country’s security as tensions in Europe soar. The proposal, which calls for the redeployment of US nuclear warheads from western Europe or the United States to Poland, is expected to be met with alarm in Moscow and could significantly escalate the ongoing geopolitical standoff between Russia and the West.
Poland’s head of state and, ceremonially at least, its commander in chief told the Financial Times that it was “obvious” that US President Donald Trump could move nuclear warheads to Poland, a suggestion he has previously put forward in discussions with Keith Kellogg, the US special envoy for Ukraine. Mr Duda said: “The borders of NATO moved east in 1999, so 26 years later there should also be a shift of NATO infrastructure east.
“For me this is obvious. I think it’s not only that the time has come, but that it would be safer if those weapons were already here.”
The request is not entirely new. Mr Duda previously floated a similar proposal during the administration of former US President Joe Biden in 2022 but failed to gain traction.
Nonetheless, the current context, marked by heightened tensions over Russia’s war in Ukraine, has made the request all the more urgent from Poland’s perspective.
The idea of hosting US-controlled nuclear weapons near Russia’s borders is likely to provoke a fierce reaction from the Kremlin, which has repeatedly condemned NATO’s expansion and perceived encroachment on its sphere of influence.
However, Mr Duda pointed to Russia’s actions as justification for Poland’s request. He highlighted Russian President Mr Vladimir Putin’s 2023 decision to move tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, Moscow’s ally in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
He added: “Russia did not even hesitate when they were relocating their nuclear weapons into Belarus. They didn’t ask anyone’s permission.”
The move, which saw Russia position its nuclear arsenal closer to NATO member states, was itself regarded as a provocative act by the West.
Poland’s call for nuclear weapons comes amid growing anxiety across the region, with fears that peace talks brokered by Mr Trump could ultimately result in a stronger Russia.
Mr Duda’s position underscores the deepening sense of insecurity in Poland, which shares a border with both Belarus and Russia.
However, the Polish president expressed scepticism about proposals for Poland to develop its own nuclear capabilities, acknowledging that it would take decades to achieve such an outcome.
While Mr Duda reaffirmed the strength of the US-Poland alliance, including Mr Trump’s commitment to maintaining US troops in Poland, he dismissed suggestions that Mr Trump’s negotiations with Russia were overly conciliatory.
Mr Duda explained: “This is not delicate diplomacy, this is a tough game. “I think he’s applying instruments against Russia, even though it’s maybe not as loud and visible as those he’s using against Ukraine.”
The diplomatic tensions are further compounded by a row between Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and US figures, including billionaire Mr Elon Musk, over Ukraine’s access to Musk’s Starlink satellite system.
Mr Duda previously criticised Mr Sikorski for engaging in the dispute via social media, urging that such matters be handled through diplomatic channels.
As Poland prepares for a presidential election in May, Mr Duda expressed confidence that the Polish people would make their own decisions.
Simultaneously, he voiced concerns over the potential for a contested election outcome, warning of a constitutional crisis similar to that witnessed in Romania.
