Kaczynski wants military presence
Poland would be open to storing US nuclear weapons
4/3/2022 3:36 am
In order to arm himself against a possible attack by Russia, Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister Kaczynski would also rely on nuclear deterrence. In his view, there is nothing to prevent the United States from stationing nuclear weapons in Poland – albeit on its own initiative.
Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski is open to the stationing of American nuclear weapons in his country. “If the Americans asked us to store US nuclear weapons in Poland, we would be open to it. It would significantly increase deterrence against Moscow,” said the national conservative politician of the “Welt am Sonntag”. At the moment this question does not arise, “but that may change soon”. The initiative should come from the Americans, he said. But in principle it makes sense to extend nuclear sharing to NATO’s eastern flank.
A good five weeks ago, Russia launched a war of aggression against neighboring Ukraine, which also borders Poland. According to Kaczynski, Poland would also welcome it if the Americans were to increase their presence in Europe from the current 100,000 soldiers to 150,000 due to Russia’s increasing aggressiveness.
In his view, 75,000 of these soldiers should be permanently stationed on the eastern flank, i.e. on the borders with Russia, and 50,000 soldiers alone in the Baltic States and in Poland. He said: “Soldiers from nuclear power America are the strongest deterrents for Russia to attack NATO countries and give us the most security.”
2.4 million Ukrainian refugees live in Poland
Overall, NATO should do more in the Ukraine war, Kaczynski said. “First, carry out a peacekeeping mission. Of course, that would only work with Ukraine’s consent. Second, the NATO countries should finally deliver the weapons that (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskyy is energetically asking for.”
More than 2.4 million refugees from Ukraine are currently living in Poland – more than in any other country in the European Union. The EU has imposed unprecedented sanctions since Russia invaded Ukraine, as have other Western states.