Poland is considering asking for access to nuclear weapons through a Nato program which involves non-nuclear states borrowing them from the United States.

Tomasz Szatkowski, Poland's deputy defence minister, said that the ministry is currently discussing whether to ask for access to Nato's so-called "nuclear sharing" program to strengthen the country's ability to defend itself.

Polish media say Szatkowski's comments to the private broadcaster Polsat mark the first time a Polish official has said the country wants to join the program.

The 28-member Nato has three nuclear powers, the US, France and Britain, but only the US has provided weapons to allies for nuclear sharing.

Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey have hosted nuclear weapons as part of the program.

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