Poland and nuclear sharing programme? Department of State comments

In an interview for "Gazeta Polska" weekly, Polish President Andrzej Duda said it was unlikely that Poland would come into possession of nuclear weapons any time soon. He added, however, that there was always a possibility to take part in the nuclear sharing programme. "We've discussed with the American leaders whether the United States are considering such a possibility. The issue is still open," he said.

Nuclear sharing is a concept in NATO's policy of nuclear deterrence, which allows member countries without nuclear weapons of their own to participate in the planning for the use of nuclear weapons by NATO. In particular, it provides for the armed forces of those countries to be involved in delivering nuclear weapons in the event of their use.

U.S. Department of State spokesperson Vedant Patel was asked about said interview at a press briefing on Thursday (October 6). "So first, as it relates to your to your question on Poland, I want to take a step back and note that Poland is an important NATO Ally in the region. But as it relates to this specific request, we are not aware of this specific item being raised," he replied.

"And I can say that the United States has no plans to deploy a nuclear weapon on NATO member territory that had joined NATO post-1997," State Department spokesperson added.

In 1997, the first NATO expansion since the Cold War took place - Poland, Czech Republic, and Hungary became members of Alliance at the time. More countries of the region were joining NATO in the following years.

Patel did not specify exatcly why he mentioned 1997, but the NATO - Russia Founding Act had been signed that very year. The document says, among other things, that NATO coutries have no intention, plan or reason to deploy nuclear weapons on the territories of new member states. However, after this year's Russian attack on Ukraine, rumours about the agreement being no longer valid have started to circulate in the West.