Polish government wary of president’s nukes declaration

6 months ago 25

Poland hosting nuclear weapons could be dangerous for the country, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Szejna (Left/S&D) said, commenting on President Andrzej Duda’s recent statement that Poland could do so.

Last week, after his meeting with former US President and Republican candidate Donald Trump, Duda said Poland is ready to host nuclear weapons as part of NATO’s Nuclear Sharing programme, stating he discussed the issue with the current US administration.

According to Deputy Foreign Minister Szejna, though, declarations like the one from Duda “expose Poland to a threat by Russian missiles.”

Duda should have consulted his statement on nuclear weapons with the cabinet before he made it, Szejna told public Polish Radio, adding that some of the president’s public statements do not reflect the position of Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government on certain issues.

“In some situations, especially abroad, I would praise the president’s actions, which follow the government’s instructions, but occasionally, he slips out things like this,” Szejna added.

Tusk himself has so far refrained from commenting on Duda’s words, insisting on the need to meet the president in order to better “understand his intentions.”

Commenting on Poland joining the Nuclear Sharing programme, Szejna said it must be analysed holistically.

“First, we must take into consideration the (country’s) security concept, whether the Nuclear Sharing fits into it and whether NATO expects from Poland (participation in it),” he added.

Still, Szejna did not rule out the deployment of nukes on Polish soil, saying, “If our (NATO) allies state that Poland should host such weapons, we should agree, but this has not yet occurred.”

Neighbouring Lithuania has commented positively on the possibility of Poland hosting nuclear weapons on its territory, with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda saying this would contribute to NATO deterrence and European security.

“The military power has increased in our region, in particular resulting from the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons. Unfortunately, this is the reality today, both in the Kaliningrad region and, as far as we know, in Belarus,” he told Lithuanian media.

It should play “a really significant role in deterrence and exerting pressure” on Russia, Nausėda continued, noting that it should not be considered warmongering or a threat to Russia.

Nausėda also expressed surprise that Duda’s statement was considered so controversial, especially as the issue of nuclear sharing has already been discussed.

Tusk, who insists on discussing the matter with Duda, had to cancel a meeting with him scheduled for Wednesday to discuss the matter due to pneumonia.

(Aleksandra Krzysztoszek | Euractiv.pl)