Poland to join France's nuclear deterrence amid Russia threat
Photo: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and French President Emmanuel Macron (Getty Images)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk discussed conducting joint nuclear exercises. They made this announcement at a joint press conference in Gdańsk, according to Politico.
New phase of French nuclear deterrence
France is the only nuclear power in the European Union. In early 2026, Macron announces "a new phase in French deterrence", a historic shift that envisions an expanded role for other European countries, starting with participation in nuclear exercises.
Cooperation within the framework of so-called forward deterrence includes Poland, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and Sweden.
Tusk confirms that Poland has joined this group. He notes that it is "an exclusive group made up of countries who understand the need for European sovereignty."
"We live in a world in which we need nuclear dissuasion capacities," says the Polish prime minister.
'Not my dream, but...'
Responding to a question about the potential deployment of French nuclear-capable aircraft in Poland, Tusk says, "in all frankness, having Rafales with atomic bombs above Poland is not my dream, but I hope you do not have such plans."
Macron, for his part, says that the French side would discuss practical options with its Polish counterparts in the coming months.
France insists that final control over the use of nuclear weapons remains with Paris. Still, there are discussions about the possible basing of French aircraft with nuclear weapons in allied countries.
Other defense agreements
Tusk also praises France’s willingness to defend Poland’s eastern borders (with Belarus and the Kaliningrad region of Russia). The parties discussed the possibility of involving France in the security of the Rzeszów–Jasionka Airport, which plays a key role in the delivery of weapons and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
The parties signed agreements to deepen defense cooperation in space and military planning; in particular, Poland plans to purchase a French military telecommunications satellite by the end of the year. The Defense Ministers of both countries will also develop a bilateral cooperation plan for 2026–2028.
Alexander Lukashenko accused Ukraine and NATO countries of allegedly preparing an attack on Belarus. The dictator threatened to use the entire arsenal of defense, including nuclear weapons, if neighboring states attacked his country.
These statements came amid intensified joint military exercises between Russia and Belarus.
Meanwhile, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski spoke out against the idea of Ukraine's accelerated accession to the European Union, stressing that Kyiv must go through the full process of joining the bloc.
