Poland has been in talks to host nuclear weapons from the United States, according to the European country’s leader, a claim that comes in light of boiling tensions with Russia over the war in Ukraine.
Polish President Andrzej Duda told Gazeta Polska that he is in discussions with the U.S. on the matter, though it wouldn’t happen in the near future, according to Notes from Poland. Such an agreement would not make Poland a nuclear power, however, as the U.S. would retain control of the weapons.
“There is always a potential opportunity to participate in the nuclear sharing programme,” Duda said when asked about a possible “nuclear sharing” program with NATO. “We have spoken with American leaders about whether the United States is considering such a possibility. The issue is open.”
POLAND DEMANDS GERMANY PAY $1.26 TRILLION IN REPARATIONS FOR WORLD WAR II
However, he stressed that such a program is a long-term goal rather than a policy that would be enacted soon.
He said the policy “must be viewed in terms of the distant future. I firmly believe that Poland will strengthen its security. That must be our long-term goal.”
Other figures in the Polish government shared his enthusiasm. Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the ruling Law and Justice Party’s leader, said he “fully supports it” and believes it would be a “very good” idea.
The U.S., meanwhile, reportedly denies Polish authorities have even asked about the matter.
“We’re not aware of this issue being raised and would refer you to the government of Poland,” a U.S. official told the Guardian.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The U.S. is estimated to have around 100 nuclear weapons currently stationed in other parts of Europe, dispersed among the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and Turkey, according to the Federation of American Scientists.
Stationing nuclear weapons in Poland would violate both the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the NATO-Russia Founding Act of 1997, according to the Guardian, in which NATO pledged not to station nuclear weapons in the territory of any new members.
