Polish president advocates for nuclear capabilities amid Russian threat

2026-02-16 - 13:05

In an interview with Polsat News, Nawrocki declared himself "a great supporter of Poland joining the nuclear project," stressing that this path should be pursued "with respect to all international regulations." He framed the initiative as essential given Poland's precarious geopolitical position. "We are a country on the brink of armed conflict. It is clear what the aggressive, imperial Russian Federation's attitude towards Poland is," he stated. Transatlantic alliance and internal divisions Nawrocki emphasized the importance of Poland's decades-long relationship with the United States, describing Washington as a "very important ally." He warned against efforts to strain Polish-American ties, including certain EU initiatives that heighten tensions between Europe and the United States. His remarks highlight growing internal European debates about security architecture and transatlantic relationships amid Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Divergent views on Trump's peace initiative The president's comments come against the backdrop of differing Polish approaches to US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace initiative. While Prime Minister Donald Tusk ruled out joining the board last week, citing need for further assessment, Nawrocki expressed openness to Polish participation. "I believe that Poland's presence on the Board of Peace would be beneficial for Poland. We would be the voice of the entire region," he said, though noting no final decision has been made about attending the upcoming Washington gathering. Regional security implications Poland's consideration of nuclear cooperation reflects broader security concerns among NATO's eastern flank members following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As a frontline state sharing borders with both Ukraine and Russia's Kaliningrad exclave, Warsaw faces acute security challenges. For allies including Türkiye, which maintains its own complex relationship with Russia while fulfilling NATO commitments, Poland's evolving defense posture represents an important development in alliance dynamics. The divergence between Nawrocki and Tusk on engaging with Trump's peace initiative also illustrates the complexity of crafting unified Western approaches to both Russian aggression and diplomatic engagement.