Defence Minister: Poland eyes nuclear deterrence through allies, not own bomb

Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasised that Poland must develop capabilities in the field of nuclear deterrence, even if only through cooperation with allies.

In the programme hosted by Witold Jurasz, a half-joking question arose about whether the government had secretly commissioned work on a “Polish atomic bomb,” Caliber.Az reports citing Polish media.

The minister also added, “I would not lose faith or trust in Polish scientists, strategies, and developmental potential.”

“Perhaps not that far yet, but I would not lose faith or trust in Polish scientists, strategies, and developmental potential,” Kosiniak-Kamysz replied, noting that Poland has enormous research potential, which, however, too rarely translates into concrete economic applications.

The Minister of Defence acknowledged that participation in programmes such as the American nuclear sharing scheme – a mechanism for sharing nuclear capabilities within NATO – is more realistic for Poland than possessing its own atomic bomb.

– “We are certainly closer to the French proposal or the American nuclear sharing than to having our own capabilities,” Kosiniak-Kamysz explained. – “I would not discourage those who want to develop scientifically and in research. Poland should have capabilities across various areas,” he added.

The Deputy Prime Minister also referred to French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent declaration about his willingness to discuss a nuclear protective umbrella over Europe. Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that Poland has strengthened cooperation with Paris on this matter, signing the first mutual guarantees treaty in many years. Similar discussions are also underway with the United Kingdom.

– “In my view, without the role of the United States, it will still always be insufficient, because the French and British potential is far smaller than that of the Russian Federation or, thankfully, the United States,” he emphasised.

 “Cooperation with both is necessary; one does not exclude the other. I am very open to both the US and France. One does not go against the other,” he added.

When asked whether Poland would like to participate in NATO Nuclear Sharing, Kosiniak-Kamysz responded: “I would like to achieve results in this regard, and it is better to speak of them after, rather than before.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev