Posted on 04/03/2022 9:51:29 AM PDT by blam
The large NATO ‘eastern flank’ country of Poland now says it’s “open” to hosting nuclear weapons as a deterrent against Russian aggression. A fresh weekend statement from Deputy Prime Minister of Poland Jaroslaw Kaczynski urged a tougher united Western stance against Moscow.
Specifically he said Poland stands open and ready to deploy US nuclear weapons on its soil. This is the same ruling party politician who previously called for a NATO ‘peacekeeping’ mission in Ukraine, which other Western leaders have rejected given it would mean a direct shooting war with Russia.
“The eastern flank must be much better protected in the future than before,” Kaczynski told Germany’s Welt Am Sonntag newspaper. He also explained the need for America to increase its troops presence in the region by at least half.
In perhaps the most provocative section of the interview, he said: “Let’s face it: The soldiers of the U.S. nuclear power are the strongest stopping Russia from attacking NATO countries and provide us with the greatest security.”
He went to comment the following on tactical nukes on Polish soil, as reported in Newsweek:
Asked if he thought the U.S. should deploy tactical nuclear weapons to Eastern Europe, Kaczynski said he had discussed the idea with American senators while still in opposition with his Law and Justice Party.
“Back then, they thought it was possible. If the Americans asked us to store American nuclear weapons in Poland, we would be open to it,” Kaczynski told Welt Am Sonntag.
He explained the rationale by saying “This would significantly strengthen deterrence [against Moscow]… At the moment, this issue does not arise, but it may change soon. The initiative would have to come from the Americans. In principle, however, it makes sense to extend nuclear weapons sharing to the eastern flank.”
Addressing the US troop presence, he said, “Poland would be pleased if the Americans increased their presence in Europe from the current 100,000 soldiers up to 150,000 in the future due to Russia’s increasing aggressiveness.”
Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of Poland’s ruling conservative party, Law and Justice. Via AP
The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation has estimated that NATO currently has about 100 US nuclear weapons in Europe, which it says is “stored in five NATO member states across six bases: Kleine Brogel in Belgium, Büchel Air Base in Germany, Aviano and Ghedi Air Bases in Italy, Volkel Air Base in the Netherlands, and Incirlik in Turkey.”
Moving any of these into Poland, just across the border from where the Russian military is operating in Ukraine – and so close to what Moscow sees as its own ‘backyard’ – would certainly result in Russia escalating its own nuclear posture. A big part of Russia-NATO tensions underlying the current Ukraine crisis is precisely related to missile placement in Europe, with both sides having expressed a prior desire to work out an agreement, but which now looks more distant than ever.
Not a good idea to do in the Hypersonic Age.
Well you would have had them 10 years ago if it wasn’t for Obama.
How would the US respond to russian nukes based in Mexico?
Because this is how you get WWIII.
I suppose we can expect Russian and chinese nukes in Cuba and Venezuela
“Not a good idea to do in the Hypersonic Age.”
Haha. You mean the hypersonic missiles Russia parades alongside the equally non-existent T-14s and Su-57s.
One thing this war has proved is that all the advanced military tech Russia boasts about isn’t real. They can’t even get NVD to their troops.
Well, it looks like Poland will be next for the “unprovoked Russian attack”.
They work dickhead!
Then why the need for nukes right next door to them?
We don’t need to position nukes anywhere near Russia. We have strategic depth, stand off weapons, and massive superiority. Plus, there is no question where Poland stands. Poland saved Europe from the Ottomans in 1683, and from the communists in 1920.
I think it’s a good move, I like Poland especially the Polish Radom.
> How would the US respond to Russian nukes based in Mexico? <
Well, we know how because of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. We would not just sit back and do nothing. And as you noted, such a thing can easily start WW III.
Events have shown Putin to be a warmonger. He needs to be deterred. But he doesn’t need to be provoked. Trump understood that. The folks running the show today evidently do not.
That’s why I have to laugh at all the neocon retards who are screaming “America needs to help the nazis in Ukraine or else pootpoo will invade Poland and Germany!”
Forget it.
All the deterrence the homeland needs is cruising under the seas of the world, armed with enough Trident warheads to deter Russia and China together.
The idea of changing “deterrence” to mean forward deployment of nuclear weapons to respond to conventional arms engagements between aliens is reckless beyond words.
“Then why the need for nukes right next door to them?”
Because Poland still wants vengeance for Katyn.
Sure, but that is because Russia is weak now. The USSR was not weak.
If we allow Putin to reconstitute the Soviet empire then Russia once again becomes a threat rather than a nuisance. That is why we need to stop Putin in Ukraine, because the next war will be much harder.
I agree 100%.
Bears repeating. Nowadays, about a third of FR posters are going “ cool, do it President Biden! We love you!!”
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