Poland’s governing party chairman stated on Sunday that the nation would be “open” to having nuclear weapons stationed in the country and would also accept a 50 percent increase in the number of US soldiers stationed in Europe.

Warsaw is also asking for stronger sanctions against Moscow in response to the Ukrainian war.

If Poland agrees to host American nuclear weapons, it will represent a dramatic escalation in the new Cold War with Russia.

Putin would almost certainly regard the action as provocative. The invasion, which Russian President Vladimir Putin described as a “special military operation” to demilitarise its neighbour, has heightened security concerns in NATO’s eastern flank states.

Last month, the alliance announced four new multinational combat units in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia in response to the increased presence in the region.

‘Poland would be glad if the Americans raised their presence in Europe from 100,000 to 150,000 soldiers in the future owing to Russia’s increasing aggression,’ said Jaroslaw Kaczynski, 72, to the German daily Welt am Sonntag.

‘We would be willing to keep US nuclear weapons in Poland if the Americans asked us to do so.’ It would considerably boost Moscow’s deterrence.

‘Of these, 75,000 soldiers should be stationed on the eastern flank, i.e. on the border with Russia; 50,000 soldiers in the Baltic states and Poland,’ he stated in an interview published on the website of Poland’s ruling party, Law and Justice (PiS).

‘That would send a strong signal to Moscow: Nato leadership is now present in the east,’ he added.

‘With or without nukes, Poland wants to see a big operational Nato headquarters in Poland,’ stated Kaczynski.

Kaczynski also stated that while Poland would not oppose to possessing nuclear weapons, it is not presently being explored.

Before Russian soldiers stepped into Ukraine, the United States had around 80,000 troops in Europe.

Kaczynski also chastised Germany and France for having a “strong tilt in Moscow’s favour.”

‘I am really upset with the German government’s actions. Poland is dissatisfied with Germany’s participation in European affairs. Germany might provide additional weaponry. Germany might also speak out in favour of an EU-wide oil embargo. Over the years, the German government refused to see what Russia was doing under Putin’s leadership, and the outcome is what we see now.’

Germany is heavily reliant on Russia for its oil supplies, into which it contributes one-third.

‘We cannot continue to assist a big country like Russia indefinitely by paying them billions,’ Kaczynski added. ‘From a political and moral standpoint, this is unacceptable. This must cease, and Germany must finally take a firm stand on the issue.’

Four other European countries currently have American nuclear weapons on their territory.

The US Air Force maintains air-launched tactical nuclear weapons at two locations in Italy, as well as one each in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Turkey.

Greece had US nuclear weapons until 2001, whereas the United Kingdom has housed nuclear-capable planes since 1949, however US nuclear weapons were evacuated in 2006.

The bombs are housed in vaults and are ready for deployment by the national air force. Britain and France both have nuclear weapons.

The Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Norway, Poland, and Romania are all members of the Assistance of Nuclear Operations With Conventional Air Tactics (SNOWCAT) group and can offer air support.