Russia issued a fresh, terrifying warning to NATO after Poland said to be “ready” to place nuclear warheads on its territory.
Sergey Ryabkov, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, told the Western military alliance that the deployment of nuclear weapons near his country’s border would be seen as a security threat by the Kremlin – and turn them into a target.
Poland, which is already considered one of the European nations that Putin may be eyeing up as his next target, was at the receiving end of Mr Ryabkov’s warning.
Speaking to Russian state-run TASS news agency, the official said after explaining a nuclear mission near his country’s border would be considered a threat: “Let alone permanent deployment [that] hotheads in Warsaw are speaking about.
“That is why all those politicians who are discussing such an option in and outside Poland should understand: any steps in this direction will not add to Poland’s security and relevant facilities will inevitably be a target. And they will be in the fore in our military planning.”
This threat came after Polish President Andrzej Duda said in an interview published this week by Fakt that it would be ready to host NATO allies’ nuclear weapons.
Mr Duda said: “If there were a decision by our allies to deploy nuclear weapons, within the nuclear sharing, also on our territory in order to strengthen the security of NATO’s eastern flank, we are ready.”
A similar decision is in response to the Kremlin relocating some of its tactical nuclear warheads to Belarus, its most loyal ally in Europe neighbouring Ukraine, two Baltic states and Poland.
This is the first time since the Soviet era that Russia has deployed nuclear weapons beyond its borders – and several hundred miles closer to NATO territory. It marks a major escalation in the threat Moscow poses to the West.
Mr Ryabkov hasn’t been the only official close to the Kremlin to voice Vladimir Putin’s position on the potential relocation of nuclear warheads.
Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said the Russian Defence Ministry would “analyse the situation… and take all the necessary retaliatory steps to guarantee our safety”.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova doubled down on the threats, saying any US missiles in Poland could become targets should a Russia-NATO showdown happen.
She said: “It is not difficult to assume that if American nuclear weapons appear on Polish territory, the corresponding objects will immediately join the list of legitimate targets for destruction in the case of direct military conflict with NATO.”
Do you think the deployment of nuclear weapons near the border truly enhances security, or does it create more tension and risk?
As a defense analyst, I believe escalating tensions and the potential placement of nuclear weapons near Russia’s border are extremely dangerous. It is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize diplomatic solutions and avoid actions that can lead to a catastrophic scenario. Let’s hope for restraint and rational decision-making in this critical situation.