Russia and Poland are engaged in a tense standoff with threats of broader conflict looming over Europe, potentially escalating to a nuclear level if NATO proceeds with the deployment of warheads to its Eastern Flank.
Polish President Andrzej Duda revealed on Thursday that he had extended an invitation to Prime Minister Donald Tusk for discussions on May 1 regarding the prospect of hosting nuclear weapons from another NATO member.
This move comes in response to Russia's decision to transfer tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus as a deterrent measure against Western powers.
Duda's announcement triggered a flurry of indignation from Russian officials, including his own Prime Minister who was blindsided by the President's intentions. Russia had previously denounced the maneuver as a provocation, with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov cautioning that their patience has limits.
Ryabkov warned, "Should Poland continue down the path of escalation with its rhetoric on nuclear weapons, it will only escalate tensions further."
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoed these sentiments, issuing a foreboding statement that the Defense Ministry would assess the situation and take necessary retaliatory measures to ensure Russia's security.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko exacerbated tensions by asserting that numerous tactical nuclear weapons were now stationed within the country, marking the first instance of Russia deploying nuclear missiles in a foreign territory since the Soviet era.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova cautioned that any US missiles stationed in Poland could become legitimate targets in the event of a Russia-NATO conflict.
She remarked, "It's not unreasonable to assume that if American nuclear weapons are situated on Polish soil, they would immediately become targets for destruction in the event of direct military engagement with NATO."
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