Warsaw, Poland – – Polish President Karol Nawrocki has publicly advocated for his country to begin developing its own nuclear defenses, citing the escalating threat posed by Russia. The call for a Polish nuclear program comes amid a broader European debate about bolstering national security in the face of perceived vulnerabilities in transatlantic defense commitments.
In an interview with Polsat television, President Nawrocki stated his strong support for Poland’s involvement in a nuclear project, arguing that the nation’s security strategy should be “based on nuclear potential.” He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We must work towards this goal so that we can begin the work. We are a country right on the border of an armed conflict. The aggressive, imperial attitude of Russia toward Poland is well known.”
The Polish president’s comments reflect a growing anxiety within several European nations regarding the reliability of existing security arrangements, particularly in light of Russia’s increasingly assertive foreign policy and repeated nuclear rhetoric. This concern has been amplified by questions surrounding the future of U.S. Security guarantees, prompting some European leaders to explore independent avenues for deterrence.
Latvia’s Prime Minister Evika Siliņa recently echoed this sentiment at the Munich Security Conference, suggesting that nuclear deterrence could offer “new opportunities” for her country. Similarly, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has confirmed ongoing discussions with France regarding a potential European deterrent force. These developments signal a significant shift in the European security landscape, moving away from a long-held reliance on the United States as the primary guarantor of continental defense.
President Nawrocki dismissed concerns about a potential aggressive response from Moscow should Poland pursue its own nuclear weapons program. “Russia can react aggressively to anything,” he stated, suggesting that any action taken by Poland would likely be met with hostility regardless. This pragmatic assessment underscores the perceived inevitability of Russian opposition and the determination of the Polish government to prioritize its own security interests.
The idea of Poland acquiring nuclear capabilities is not new. A Rand Corporation commentary published in outlined three potential paths for Poland’s nuclear future: developing its own weapons, hosting NATO nuclear arms, or seeking protection from France and the United Kingdom. The commentary highlighted the historical precedent of U.S. Nuclear forces stationed in West Germany during the Cold War as a model for deterring potential aggression, suggesting a similar logic could be applied to Poland today.
The Rand report noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly raised the specter of nuclear war, dating back to the 2014 annexation of Crimea. Putin’s statements, including a 2018 demonstration of simulated nuclear attacks on the United States and the deployment of nuclear-capable missiles to Belarus in 2023, have contributed to a heightened sense of insecurity in Europe. The report also pointed to Putin’s November 2023 statement lowering the threshold for nuclear use as a particularly alarming development.
While President Nawrocki’s call for a Polish nuclear program is a significant escalation in the debate, the practical challenges of developing such a capability are considerable. Beyond the technical and financial hurdles, Poland would need to navigate a complex web of international regulations and treaties, including the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The potential for triggering a regional arms race and further destabilizing the European security environment would also need to be carefully considered.
The Polish government has not yet outlined a specific timeline or plan for pursuing nuclear weapons. However, President Nawrocki’s public statement signals a clear intention to explore all available options for enhancing the country’s security in the face of a perceived existential threat from Russia. The coming months will likely see a more detailed discussion within Poland and among its allies regarding the feasibility and implications of a Polish nuclear program.
The debate over nuclear deterrence in Europe is likely to intensify as geopolitical tensions continue to rise. The question of whether to rely on extended deterrence provided by the United States, or to develop independent nuclear capabilities, will remain a central challenge for European security policy in the years to come. Poland’s move to seriously consider developing its own nuclear defenses underscores the growing sense of vulnerability and the urgent need for a comprehensive reassessment of Europe’s security architecture.
