Polish President Andrzej Duda has reiterated his call for the United States to station nuclear weapons in Poland, arguing that it would enhance the country’s security in the face of growing threats from Russia. Speaking from the presidential palace in Warsaw, Duda emphasized that such a move would serve as a deterrent rather than a provocation.
Duda, who also serves as commander-in-chief of Poland’s rapidly expanding military, compared modern-day Russia to the Soviet Union, describing it as equally aggressive and driven by “imperial greed.” He justified his push for US nuclear deployment as a direct response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 2023 decision to move Russian tactical nuclear weapons into Belarus, which borders both Poland and Ukraine.
“It’s the same Russia that is attacking Ukraine today, murdering civilians and bombing settlements,” Duda said. “And it’s moving its nuclear weapons from the depths of Russia to Belarus.” He asserted that hosting US nuclear weapons would be a necessary defensive measure for Poland and NATO.
Duda also expressed support for French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to extend France’s nuclear deterrent to other NATO countries. Meanwhile, Poland has ramped up its defense spending to nearly 5% of its GDP—more than any other NATO member, including the US—and has started constructing anti-tank fortifications along its border with Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave.
The US already maintains a rotational presence of around 10,000 troops in Poland. When asked how nuclear weapons would improve Poland’s security, Duda argued that they would deepen America’s strategic commitment to defending the region. “Every piece of American and NATO infrastructure on Polish soil strengthens the inclination of the US and the alliance to defend this territory,” he said.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently warned of shifting US geopolitical priorities, suggesting that Poland and Ukraine are now in a “more difficult situation.” He urged further increases in defense spending and suggested that Poland should explore “opportunities related to nuclear weapons.”
Duda refrained from criticizing former US President Donald Trump, whom he has long supported, despite concerns that Trump’s statements have cast doubt on America’s commitment to NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense clause. However, he took a firm stance on Russia, advocating for the European Union to seize frozen Russian assets—worth an estimated €200 billion—to support Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction.
“I believe it is obvious that Russian assets locked in Western banks should be used to support Ukraine,” Duda stated. “Russia cannot simply reclaim this money without paying war reparations and compensation for the destruction it has caused.”
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