Polish Defense Minister: We remain interested in participating in the 'Nuclear Sharing' program

Poland remains keen to participate in the US 'Nuclear Sharing' program, a commitment reiterated by Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. This initiative involves the deployment of US nuclear missiles in allied nations.

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To allay any doubts: Poland remains unchanged in its interest in participating in the Nuclear Sharing program. We are also holding discussions about participating in the European nuclear umbrella. The stance of our government is unambiguous.

Kosiniak-Kamysz's clear statement aimed to dispel any ambiguity, stating, "To allay any doubts: Poland remains unchanged in its interest in participating in the Nuclear Sharing program." He further revealed that discussions are underway regarding Poland's potential involvement in a European nuclear umbrella.

The minister's firm stance came after his deputy, Paweł Zalewski, made remarks that initially suggested Poland's interest in NATO's nuclear umbrella but explicitly ruled out hosting nuclear weapons on its soil. Zalewski later clarified that Poland's participation in the US's Dual Capability Air (DCA) program was a precursor to nuclear sharing, but emphasized that deploying nuclear weapons in Poland was neither possible nor desirable.

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But this does not mean that nuclear weapons will be deployed in our country. It is neither possible nor desirable.

This apparent communication breakdown drew criticism. Marcin Przydacz, an advisor to the Polish president, pointed out that previous governments had expressed willingness to host US nuclear weapons. Retired General Stanisław Koziej, former head of the National Security Bureau, described the deputy minister's public statement as a "strategic mistake in deterrence," arguing that while weapons don't need to be physically present, Poland should maintain the option and signal this capability to adversaries like Russia.

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A public statement by a government representative that Poland does not want nuclear warheads on its territory is a strategic mistake in deterrence. Nuclear weapons do not have to be with us, but we must have the option for them to be, and this is precisely what Putin should know.