US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday evening the deployment of an additional 5,000 American troops to Poland. He emphasized the significant role of the good relations between the US administration and the President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki. As we have learned, a detailed plan for the deployment of the new forces will likely be prepared within a few weeks.
US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday evening the deployment of an additional 5,000 American troops to Poland. The decision was preceded by a conversation between the Head of the National Security Bureau (BBN) and the Under Secretary for Policy at the Department of War.
“Donald Trump’s decision is a major success for President Karol Nawrocki and the result of a consistent effort to build transatlantic relations. During Wednesday’s conversation with the Under Secretary for Policy at the Department of War, I was informed that the issue of strengthening the US military presence in Poland would be resolved quickly in a way beneficial for Poland and our alliance. However, such matters are discussed quietly. The increase in the US military contingent is excellent news for Poland, strengthening our security and confirming the strength and durability of the Polish-American alliance,” wrote Bartosz Grodecki, Head of the National Security Bureau (BBN), on Monday.
A long conversation. Poland as a model ally
We asked Arkadiusz Puławski, Deputy Director of the Head of the National Security Bureau’s Office, for details.
Puławski told the portal Niezalezna.pl that the conversation was long and focused on specifics.
“It was a good and partner-like conversation. Elbridge Colby used the term ‘model ally’ in reference to us. This is not a standard diplomatic phrase. It is a term taken directly from the NDS (National Defense Strategy) – the US National Defense Strategy. There is a paragraph there that directly defines what a model ally is. It is a country that receives support from the United States, provided that it strengthens its own capabilities,” Puławski said.
“We made sure that the reduction of US forces in Europe does not concern Poland,” he added.
At this point, the planning phase for the deployment of 5,000 US soldiers in Poland is underway. The rules of their presence are described, among others, in documents concerning Host Nation Support (HNS) and in the bilateral Polish-American Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Decisions on the exact locations will be made, among others, by the Ministry of National Defense, the General Staff, and the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Alexus Grynkewich.
As Puławski reported, the information received by the National Security Bureau indicates that the US presence has been maintained at a stable level.
“Equipment and soldiers continued to arrive according to the rotation schedule. The number of troops also remained at a variable but planned level,” he said.