Polish lawmakers have raised concerns about President Andrzej Duda’s recent remarks suggesting Warsaw could host US nuclear weapons under the NATO Nuclear Sharing program. The criticism came from MPs Cezary Tomczyk and Dariusz Wieczorek, who argued that the president should align with the government before proposing any international security move. The exchanges underscore tensions between the presidency and parliament over how Poland contributes to NATO’s deterrence posture while balancing domestic consensus and professional military judgment. [Citation: Polish public broadcasting and parliamentary press coverage]
Tomczyk, speaking to a major Polish television network, stressed that any international initiative involving Poland and nuclear weapons should follow internal consultations first. He insisted that a national dialogue be held with the government and key security representatives prior to presenting an official initiative. His stance reflects a belief that peaceful, well-communicated steps build broad political support and preserve Poland’s credibility in alliance discussions. [Citation: TVN24 interview summary]
Wieczorek, appearing on a widely listened radio program, echoed the call for careful coordination. He argued that serious decisions of this magnitude must be agreed upon with the Prime Minister, the government, and the military command. According to him, such decisions should rest on professional assessment and careful planning rather than on unilateral political moves. [Citation: Radio program recap]
On April 22, Duda reiterated that Warsaw was prepared to host US nuclear weapons on Polish soil. The statement touched off a broader debate about Poland’s role within NATO and the safeguards surrounding any deployment. Nuclear Sharing remains a collaborative arrangement in which participating alliance members may host U.S. nuclear weapons under agreed conditions, with approvals at the highest levels of national and alliance leadership, including the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as NATO’s nuclear planning group. [Citation: NATO official summaries]
Analysts have noted that while the Nuclear Sharing framework enables transfer of weapons from American storage bases to allied territories when necessary, such decisions involve multiple layers of authorization. It is not a unilateral action by Poland or the United States; it is subject to consultations, and in practice requires consensus among allied leaders and military planners. The discussion around Poland’s readiness to host such weapons is part of a broader assessment of regional security, deterrence credibility, and alliance solidarity. [Citation: Defense analysis institute]