“The first thing I will need to organize is certainly strengthening the president’s activity in the field of internationally conducted security policy, which will be my primary responsibility,” said the newly appointed head of the National Security Bureau (BBN), Bartosz Grodecki, during an appearance on TV Republika.
Bartosz Grodecki will formally begin work at the National Security Bureau next Monday. However, as he emphasized in an interview with Edyta Lewandowska, he has already familiarized himself with the Bureau’s structure. One of his first tasks will be to strengthen President Karol Nawrocki’s role in international security policy. Another key objective will be “building a national resilience strategy coordinated between the military, uniformed services, and society.”
Relocation of U.S. Troops an “Enormous Opportunity”
A major topic of the interview was Donald Trump’s declaration regarding the possible relocation of some American troops from Germany to Poland. Grodecki described the statement as “absolutely groundbreaking.” In his view, it demonstrates the excellent relationship between President Nawrocki and the President of the United States.
Referring to Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s controversial remarks suggesting that taking over troops stationed in Germany would be “inelegant,” the BBN chief stated: “I do not see any poaching here.” He added that such a relocation would represent “an enormous opportunity to strengthen our security, a tremendous opportunity for NATO and for reinforcing the eastern flank.”
Relations with the Government and the Security Issue
Bartosz Grodecki expressed hope for substantive cooperation with Tusk’s government based on the exchange of information. However, he also drew a clear line:
“The security of our country should be completely removed from political disputes.”
At the same time, the head of the BBN warned that if defense issues are used to attack the head of state, the Bureau’s response will be firm.
“If security matters are exploited politically and aimed at attacking the head of state, President Karol Nawrocki, then the BBN’s response must be appropriate,”
he announced.
Response to Allegations and Migration Policy
During the program, the discussion also touched on a report by Poland’s Supreme Audit Office (NIK) concerning Grodecki’s previous work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and visa-related matters connected to strategic investments. According to NIK, Grodecki was one of the key figures responsible for the so-called visa scandal. The BBN chief defended the decisions taken at the time, explaining that they were necessary to ensure the efficient implementation of crucial projects such as Polimery.
“These are decisions that have to be made; they must be bold decisions. That is how the state should function,”
he explained.
At the same time, he firmly denied reports alleging that he had planned the construction of housing for migrants. Such a proposal had reportedly appeared in the document Migration Policy of Poland – Directions of Action 2021-2022, prepared by a team led by Grodecki and ultimately blocked by PiS.
Grodecki also made his position on the migration crisis unequivocally clear:
“There is no consent for illegal, unauthorized migration that may threaten public order in our country.”
Controversy Surrounding the Defense Loan
The head of the BBN also addressed the EU SAFE financial support program for defense spending, which has raised numerous questions. He pointed out that President Nawrocki’s proposal in this area, the so-called Polish SEJF at 0% interest, is currently “frozen” by the Speaker of the Sejm, while the government is pushing its own solutions without providing detailed information, including on interest rates.
“The program you mentioned raises many doubts. What is more, these doubts have not been explained to us in any way,”
Bartosz Grodecki said.
Grodecki stressed that it constitutes “an enormous financial obligation undertaken without the involvement of the head of state,” and noted that future generations of Poles will be responsible for repaying it. He announced that the BBN would use its analytical capabilities to thoroughly examine all legal and financial mechanisms connected to these agreements.