 "Move your nukes to our territory to deter Russia, Polish president urges Trump")
Polish President Andrzej Duda has urged the US to relocate nuclear weapons to Poland in order to deter potential Russian aggression against Europe.
According to a Politico report, citing an interview with the Financial Times, Duda suggested that US President Donald Trump could transfer American nuclear arms currently stationed in Western Europe or the US to Polish territory.
He also mentioned having recently discussed this proposal with Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg.
“I think it’s not only that the time has come, but that it would be safer if those weapons were already here,” Duda was quoted as saying.
“The borders of Nato moved east in 1999, so 26 years later there should also be a shift of the Nato infrastructure east. For me this is obvious,” Duda added.
The Polish president said that Russia didn’t even hesitate when it moved its nuclear weapons to Belarus.
“They didn’t ask anyone for permission,” he said.
The request is likely to provoke a strong reaction from Moscow.
Duda’s remarks follow his statement last month that Poland would “very willingly” host American troops if Germany declines.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThis came in response to German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz, who warned that the Trump administration is indifferent to Europe’s security and that the continent must urgently bolster its defences.
On March 7, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a political rival of Duda, announced that Poland is pursuing access to nuclear weapons and aims to build a 500,000-strong army to counter the Russian threat.
Tusk noted that Poland is “talking seriously” with France about protection under its nuclear umbrella.
According to the report, Duda agreed with Tusk that Poland could seek protection from France’s nuclear umbrella, if not that of the US, but dismissed the prospect of Poland developing its own nuclear weapons.
“I think it would take decades,” he was quoted as saying.
With inputs from agencies
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