The Kremlin has warned Poland to reconsider its move to accept nuclear weapons on its territory, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov saying that Russian military authorities would "take the necessary steps to guarantee the security of the state."
Peskov was reacting to a recent statement by Polish President Andrzej Duda on Monday (Apr. 22) that his country was ready to accept nuclear weapons from fellow NATO nations, particularly those coming from the United States, onto its territory.
"If there was such a decision by our allies to deploy nuclear weapons as part of nuclear sharing, also on our territory, to strengthen the security of NATO's eastern flank, then we are ready for it," Duda told local newspaper Fakt.
The Polish president deemed that the action was necessary as "Russia is increasingly militarizing the Kaliningrad region" and recently relocated its tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus and allowed Belarus to incorporate it into its military doctrine.
It was also earlier reported that Polish Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed the US approval for sending over advanced missile systems to Poland.
"The military will analyze the situation," Peskov said in response to Duda's statements. "If these plans are implemented, all necessary steps will be taken to ensure our security."
Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Maria Zakharova added that the possible deployment of American nuclear weapons in Poland "will immediately attract the attention of the General Staff of the Russian Army and will be taken into account in war planning," and these facilities "will be on the list of authorized attack targets in the event of a direct conflict with NATO."
Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that he was waiting for Duda's invitation for a meeting to thoroughly understand the president's intentions.
"I am looking forward to meeting President Duda, because this matter directly and very clearly concerns Polish security," he said, as quoted by TVP.
He also spoke about the "need for all of the initiatives to be meticulously prepared by all those responsible" and for "all to be convinced that this is what we want."
He added, "This is a massive and serious undertaking, so I would have to know all the circumstances that prompted the president to make this declaration."
