Polish President Andrzej Duda has reiterated his call for the US to station nuclear weapons in Poland, arguing that it would enhance national security amid rising tensions with Russia. He considers Russia a direct threat, labeling its actions in Ukraine as aggressive and imperialistic. Duda believes deploying US nuclear weapons would serve as a deterrent against Moscow, especially after Russia stationed its own tactical nuclear arms in Belarus.

Poland has significantly increased its defense budget, now allocating nearly 5% of its national income—the highest among NATO members. The country is also constructing anti-tank fortifications near Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave.

Duda supports using frozen Russian assets in Europe, worth around 200 billion euros, to aid Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction. While he remains a strong ally of Donald Trump, he takes a firmer stance on Russia than the former US president. Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk has also stressed the need to bolster military capabilities, warning of shifting US geopolitical priorities that could impact Poland and Ukraine. As Poland strengthens its defense ties with NATO, its nuclear ambitions remain a key topic of global debate.