Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) party, has accused the current government of ruining relations with the United States. Presidential adviser Barbara Socha also commented on the issue, describing the situation surrounding the possible relocation of U.S. troops as “quite concerning” and suggesting that Poland’s Ministry of National Defence may have missed a key moment in negotiations.
On Friday, Reuters, citing anonymous U.S. officials, reported that the Pentagon had cancelled plans for the rotational deployment of 4,000 U.S. troops to Poland. According to CNN, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision to suspend the rotation is part of broader plans to reduce the American military presence in Europe.
Kaczyński addressed the troubling reports on Saturday morning in a post on X, expressing outrage at the current government’s approach.
“Poles want to know what comes next for our security. The Tusk government destroyed the hard-earned relations with the United States and mutual trust within just two years, effectively undermining our position in the NATO alliance. Are they incompetent, or is this, as always, a deliberate pro-German policy that disregards Polish interests?”
Jarosław Kaczyński wrote.
PiS MEP Anna Zalewska struck a similar tone, stating in a social media post that “the Tusk government has ruined relations with the United States,” and arguing that Poland’s security currently relies largely on the ties between the president, PiS politicians, and the U.S.
Situation looks “quite concerning”
The issue of American troops was also discussed during Saturday’s broadcast on Polish Radio’s Channel Three with presidential adviser Barbara Socha. She stated that Poland’s National Security Bureau possesses detailed information on the matter.
“However, based on what we can say publicly, in my opinion, the situation looks quite concerning,”
Socha admitted.
The presidential adviser recalled that a permanent contingent of around 5,000 U.S. troops is stationed in Poland, including personnel operating the missile defense base in Redzikowo as well as logistical and command elements in Poznań. She noted, however, that there is also a non-permanent component, including air force units.
“If these troops are being repositioned, there was, or perhaps still is, a moment, although I honestly do not know whether that window has already closed, to allow the Ministry of National Defence to propose new locations and new ideas for deploying these American forces,”
she said.
Socha also referred to the actions of the Ministry of Defence, stating that the defence minister’s “nervous moves suggest that something may have been overlooked.”
“I hope this is merely logistical and technical turbulence, and that the Ministry of National Defence will respond appropriately. The presidential National Security Bureau will be able to support these efforts, and of course, we remain open and ready to do so at any time,”
she added.
Błaszczak: We demand information
Former Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said PiS politicians are demanding information from the government regarding the presence of U.S. troops in Poland.
“American troops are a real guarantee of security. An attack on a country hosting U.S. forces carries the risk of a direct American response. That acts as a deterrent to any potential aggressor. Therefore, Poland should do everything possible to ensure that as many American troops as possible are stationed here,”
Błaszczak said in a video published online.
“Our security must be based on strength and strategic alliances, not naivety,” he added.
Przemysław Czarnek, PiS’s candidate for prime minister, is also demanding explanations from the government.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are asking what is happening. We will continue asking these questions starting Monday morning. We will submit parliamentary inquiries and conduct parliamentary interventions, because this concerns the most important issue of all,”
he said during a press conference in Lublin on Saturday.
Prime Minister’s response and Pentagon decisions
During Friday’s press conference, Prime Minister Donald Tusk attempted to calm public concerns. He assured reporters that both he and Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz remain in contact with, among others, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. Alexus Grynkewich and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
“These decisions are logistical in nature and will not affect Poland’s security,”
Donald Tusk argued.
Meanwhile, U.S. Army commander Gen. Christopher LaNeve confirmed the change of plans during remarks before the U.S. House of Representatives.
“We received instructions regarding force reductions. (…) We concluded that the most sensible course of action would be for this brigade not to deploy its forces to the theater,” the general stated, adding that he would work closely with Gen. Grynkewich “to ensure he has the appropriate forces from us.”