U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he may relocate U.S. forces withdrawn from Germany to Poland. Trump once again praised Polish President Karol Nawrocki in the process. “He’s a great fighter, he’s a great guy. I like him a lot, so that’s possible,” Trump said, signaling the potential redeployment of American troops.
The President of the United States was asked about Poland’s proposal that U.S. soldiers withdrawn from Germany be stationed in Poland instead.
“Poland would like that,” he acknowledged while speaking to reporters before departing for his golf club in Virginia.
“We have a great relationship with Poland. I have a great relationship with President [Karol] Nawrocki. You remember, I endorsed him, and he won, and he came from way behind, and he won. He’s a great fighter, he’s a great guy. I like him a lot, so that’s possible,”
he added.
Pressed further on whether he intends to do so, Trump replied that he “might” do it.
This was President Trump’s first public comment on the matter. Last week, Trump announced that he would withdraw significantly more troops from Germany than the previously announced 5,000 soldiers. Since then, he had not commented further on the issue. Secretary of State Marco Rubio admitted on Friday that no decisions have yet been made.
In recent weeks, Karol Nawrocki had also signaled to the American president his interest in deploying U.S. troops at Polish bases. The two leaders reportedly discussed the matter in connection with the release of Andrzej Poczobut. However, aides to President Nawrocki avoided making any unequivocal statements regarding possible agreements reached between the presidents.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk also weighed in on the issue. The head of government declared his “reluctance” toward “poaching” American troops from Germany.
“I don’t think we, as a state, should be taking them away. (…) I will not allow Poland to be used in any way to undermine solidarity or cooperation at the European level,”
he told reporters.
Tusk’s remarks drew sharp criticism from the opposition. Politicians from Law and Justice argued that if the prime minister were to refuse an increased American military presence in Poland, it would amount to an act of treason.
“Donald Trump wants to increase the American contingent in Poland. Every American soldier on our soil means greater security, and anyone who puts Poland’s interests first understands that and works toward it. Not long ago, Donald Tusk was warning about war. Today, he opposes the presence of American troops,”
former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki wrote on social media.
“Why? Because Tusk is worried that American troops will leave Germany and move to Poland,” Morawiecki argued, concluding that Tusk “wants to show solidarity with Germany, not with Poland’s security.”