The circle around Karol Nawrocki is revealing behind-the-scenes details of talks with the administration of Donald Trump following the decision to deploy an additional 5,000 U.S. soldiers to Poland. The president’s associates emphasize that direct relations with the White House and backchannel diplomatic efforts played a key role. At the same time, sharp criticism is directed at Donald Tusk’s government, including accusations of “puffing out their chests to receive medals” and obstructing strategic security matters.
Late on Thursday evening Polish time, Donald Trump announced that the United States would send an additional 5,000 American troops to Poland. The U.S. president emphasized at the beginning of his statement that this was the result of his relationship with President Karol Nawrocki.
The issue triggered a wave of commentary in media outlets around the world, as well as in Polish politics, particularly in the context of the prime minister’s delayed reaction. Donald Tusk, after many hours, eventually posted a message on the X platform.
“Let the Prime Minister not get in the way”
Since the morning, representatives of President Nawrocki’s circle have been appearing in the media, commenting on Donald Trump’s decision and revealing details of talks between the U.S. administration and the Polish head of state.
Speaking on Polish Radio, the presidential spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz assessed that “the statement by President Donald Trump is the result of strong relations between the leaders of Poland and the United States.”
He added:
“This is also a signal that should be interpreted unambiguously – a signal confirming strong Polish-American relations, contributing to an increased level of security not only for Poland but for the entire eastern flank of NATO. It also shows how active we have been recently in relations with the White House and the American administration in order to build the strength of this relationship.”
Asked whether President Karol Nawrocki had recently been in contact with Donald Trump, the minister said that “information likes silence.”
“We do not speak about everything publicly, and we will not discuss everything in the media space. What matters are concrete results, outcomes, agreements, because that is what is most important. We do not conduct politics through Twitter statements, but through serious political discussions, the effects of which we are seeing now. This is what it means to treat a partner and ally seriously, to conduct talks with them and communicate outcomes, not attempted actions, but concrete decisions and actions.”
He assured that the details of the rotation of American troops in Poland will remain part of further talks and arrangements with the U.S. side. He added that “all decisions will now be consulted. The entire negotiation process lies ahead, and only once these decisions are made will we inform the public.”
He stressed that due to the ongoing war across Poland’s border, “not everything should be said, because ensuring security requires discretion.” He also expressed hope that the government – with Donald Tusk at its head – would not interfere.
“We can only hope that in this entire process the Prime Minister will not get in the way, that we will be able to properly handle all the most important matters for Poland.”
Przydacz on further goals
Donald Trump’s announcement was also addressed on RMF FM by the head of the International Policy Bureau, Marcin Przydacz. He stressed that the decision to send additional U.S. troops to Poland should be seen as “a success for Poland and the Polish people.” He added: “We will all feel safer having additional American soldiers.”
The minister indicated that the key factor was the relationship between the leaders of both countries and the efforts carried out by the presidential diplomatic team.
“We can feel a sense of a job well done. Poland is an important ally, but the direct relationship between the presidents is also crucial.”
Przydacz also argued that Poland’s goal should be to transform the U.S. military presence from rotational to permanent. “We believe it is better for these soldiers to come to Poland than to return to the United States,” he said, referring to planned changes in the American military presence in Europe.
He also criticized Donald Tusk’s government, suggesting that the current coalition is trying to claim credit for achievements made by others.
“I hope the government will start implementing this, rather than just ‘puffing out their chests to receive medals’ when someone else has done the hard work for them.”
In conclusion, Przydacz called on the government side to improve cooperation with the Chancellery of the President and the U.S. administration. He revealed that the government had reportedly been surprised by Donald Trump’s statement regarding relations with President Karol Nawrocki. “We encourage them to have better contact with us and with the American side instead of insulting them,” he concluded.