Nuclear sharing in Poland? Tusk: I'd like to know president Duda's motivation

President Andrzej Duda said in an interview with "Fakt" that "if there is a decision by our allies to deploy nuclear weapons on our territory as part of nuclear sharing, then we are ready for it".

At a press conference on Tuesday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented on Duda's words. "The president's declaration regarding potential presence of nuclear weapons in Poland is important to me. I'm eagerly waiting to meet with President Andrzej Duda, as this is an issue clearly and directly related with Poland's security," he said.

"I would have to properly understand president's intentions. I deeply care for Poland's security, so that it is feasibly well armed. But I would also like potential initiatives to be above all well prepared by people responsible for it and for us to be certain we all want it," Tusk stressed.

He alos noted that "this idea is very massive and very serious". "I'd to have learn about all circumstances that led the president to make such a declaration."

The Kremlin said on Monday that the Russian military will analyse any move by Poland to host U.S. nuclear weapons.

Asked about the report, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "The military will analyse the situation. If these plans are implemented, all necessary steps will be taken to ensure our security."

Tusk also spoke at the conference about Rishi Sunak's and Jens Stoltenberg's visit to Poland planned for Tuesday.

"Tomorrow's visit of the British Prime Minister and NATO Secretary, our short meeting with British soldiers and then talks at my chancellery... is a continuation of my mission to rebuild and expand Poland's position in security policy," Tusk told reporters.

"Polish security is the focus of my attention. We are on the right path. I have to say, and I've been doing it for many years now, and I have never had such a positive impression that people in Europe listen to Poland's voice, they want to understand all aspects of our security, the risks," he added.

"Poland is a big authority as a front country."

Tusk's pro-European government, in power since December, has vowed to improved Poland's position in the European Union and relations with Western governments after eight years of nationalist rule.

With Russia having stepped up air attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and cities, EU governments are under pressure to supply more protective systems to Kyiv.

European ministers said on Monday they were looking urgently at how to provide more air defence to Ukraine but they stopped short of concrete pledges of the Patriot systems that Kyiv values most.

Ukrainian officials have countered that the risk of EU countries coming under air attack is extremely low, while Ukraine faces such attacks frequently.

Since Kyiv began a push for more Patriots in recent weeks, Germany has been the only EU country to pledge an extra battery.

Berlin is also leading a drive to get more air defence from other countries for Ukraine, through donations of equipment and financial contributions.

Other European countries including Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain and Sweden also have Patriot systems.

But countries that have U.S.-made Patriots - which Ukraine already uses and values highly for their ability to shoot down fast-moving ballistic missiles - were non-committal on Monday.

Officials say it is hard for countries to part with Patriots as they are an integral part of national defences.

Asked about the possibility of Poland joining an initiative to provide Patriot systems to Ukraine, Tusk said it would not be possible, but "there are other types of weapons that help protect the sky and Poland will be active here".

"I talk about Patriots, because we've been counting them together around Europe to see who can deliver them (to Ukraine - edit.) and Germany offered their systems," he added.