Poland is prepared to welcome additional American troops to enhance NATO’s eastern flank and further bolster Europe’s security, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated on Saturday, 9 May. He underscored that the Polish-American alliance serves as the foundation of Poland’s security.
US President Donald Trump has indicated that transferring American soldiers, who are slated for withdrawal from Germany, to Poland is an option. Kosiniak-Kamysz expressed on Platform X, “The Polish-American alliance is the foundation of our security. Poland is ready to accept additional American soldiers to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank and further protect Europe.”
When asked about Poland’s request to redeploy the withdrawing soldiers to Poland, President Trump acknowledged his administration’s involvement in the recent Polish presidential election and noted, “Poland would like that.” He emphasised the positive relationship between his administration and Poland, stating, “I have a great relationship with the president. I supported him, and he won despite significant challenges. He is a determined leader, and I hold him in high regard, so this is certainly a possibility.”
In early May, Trump stated his intention to withdraw a larger number of troops from Germany than the originally reported 5,000. Since that announcement, there have been no further updates, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that no final decisions on troop deployments have been made.
According to Deputy Minister of National Defence Paweł Zalewski, American soldiers in Poland serve in two capacities: permanent and rotational, with approximately 10,000 troops in total. The permanent presence includes personnel at the anti-missile shield base in Redzikowo, the forward command of the 5th US Army Corps in Poznań, and the base in Powidz, where equipment for the armoured brigade is stored for potential crises.
US Air Force units in Powidz support logistics and joint exercises, while the Łask air base hosts US combat aircraft that patrol alongside Polish forces. The forward divisional command in Bolesławiec oversees US troops in Poland and NATO’s eastern flank. Additionally, a NATO battalion battle group stationed in Bemowo Piskie includes soldiers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Romania, and Croatia.
