Poland’s President Andrzej Duda has once again urged the U.S. to place nuclear weapons within its borders as a deterrent to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Duda’s request was initially made to the Biden administration in 2022 and has now been addressed to the Trump administration. Duda emphasized the urgency of the situation, pointing out Russia’s lack of hesitation in relocating their nuclear weapons to Belarus following their invasion of Ukraine in 2023. The White House has not responded to inquiries about Trump’s stance on this issue, leaving the possibility of U.S. nukes in Poland unclear.
The Trump administration has been working to end the war in Ukraine, with negotiations ongoing between the U.S. and Ukraine contingent on Russia’s acceptance of a ceasefire. Despite Poland’s proximity to Russia, placing U.S. nukes in the country could be viewed as a threat by the Kremlin, possibly complicating negotiations. However, Duda’s adviser stressed the importance of increased security measures for Poland due to its borders with the Kaliningrad region, Ukraine, and Belarus. If the U.S. rejects Poland’s request, another option could involve nuclear sharing with France, a nuclear-armed NATO ally.
In response to concerns about the U.S. potentially withdrawing forces or becoming an unreliable defense partner, French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed extending nuclear deterrence to other EU nations. While specifics of this strategy, including the dispersal of nuclear arms to other countries, remain unclear, Poland has engaged in discussions with France on the matter. Although Russia has criticized France’s approach as confrontational, it is not unprecedented for NATO allies to receive nuclear protection, as evidenced by the U.S.’s Cold War-era deterrence umbrella.
France, as the only nuclear power in the EU, holds the third-largest nuclear stockpile in NATO after the U.S. and the U.K. This potential strategy for extended deterrence to EU nations is intended to ensure protection against nuclear threats from countries like Russia, China, or North Korea. Despite objections from Moscow, France’s defense concept is part of a long-standing effort to maintain security and stability in the region. The implications and details of this strategy, as well as potential for cooperation between Poland and France, are still being explored.
