Poland's political leaders on collision course over country's nuclear ambitions

A growing rift within Poland’s leadership has once more erupted into public view, as disagreement over the country’s potential pursuit of nuclear capabilities pits the president against the government’s top diplomat.

Representing rival political camps, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski sharply criticized President Karol Nawrocki after the latter publicly suggested that Poland should work toward developing its own nuclear deterrent, as Polish media reports.

Sikorski described the remarks as “irresponsible and harmful” in an interview with Polsat News on February 19, making clear that he believed such sensitive matters should not be aired publicly. 

Asked whether the president had consulted the government before raising the issue, he replied:

"No, the president did not bother to consult [us on] it, and I also consider that unacceptable.”

During an appearance on Polsat television the previous weekend, Nawrocki — who ran as an independent candidate — said he was "a great supporter of Poland joining the nuclear project" and argued that the country should shape its security strategy "based on nuclear potential."

He added: "This path, with respect for all international regulations, is the path we should take. ... 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 dispute underscores the uneasy power-sharing arrangement between Poland’s centrist, pro-EU government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the right-leaning president, who is backed by the largest opposition party, Law and Justice (PiS).

At the heart of the disagreement lies Poland’s status as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which prohibits it from developing or acquiring nuclear weapons without violating longstanding international commitments.

For decades, Poland has relied on the United States’ “nuclear umbrella” within NATO for deterrence. However, debate has intensified in Europe over alternative arrangements. Last year, Warsaw signed an agreement with France that could potentially pave the way for shared protection under France’s nuclear deterrent.

Nawrocki’s comments come amid broader discussions across Europe about strengthening independent nuclear capabilities in response to mounting security concerns tied to Moscow and dwindling confidence in US commitments.

At the Munich Security Conference, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa said that “nuclear deterrence can give us new opportunities." Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed that talks were underway with France regarding a potential European deterrent framework.

France and the United Kingdom are the only European countries with independent nuclear arsenals, while Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Türkiye host US nuclear weapons on their territory under NATO arrangements.

By Nazrin Sadigova