A decision by the United States to withdraw around 5,000 troops from Germany has prompted a response from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who wrote that “the greatest threat is the ongoing disintegration of our alliance.” His post followed a Pentagon announcement and came against the backdrop of his earlier remarks on NATO. “Things are not going Berlin’s way,” commented Maciej Kożuszek.
The Pentagon announced plans to pull approximately 5,000 American soldiers out of Germany. The operation is expected to be carried out over the next 6 to 12 months. Currently, about 36,000 U.S. troops are stationed in the country.
The reduction follows earlier statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, who, amid tensions with Berlin, indicated he was considering such a move.
Prime Minister Tusk addressed the decision in a post on X:
“The greatest threat to the transatlantic community are not its external enemies, but the ongoing disintegration of our alliance. We must all do what it takes to reverse this disastrous trend.”
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said the Alliance is working with the United States to determine the details of the decision.
Earlier, in an interview with the Financial Times, Tusk commented on NATO’s readiness:
“For the entire eastern flank, for my neighbors… the question is whether NATO remains an organization ready—both politically and logistically—to respond, for example, against Russia, should it attempt an attack (…) I would like to believe that Article 5 still applies, but at times, of course, I have some doubts.”
The prime minister also pointed to the need to strengthen defense cooperation within the European Union.
Tusk’s remarks drew reactions from commentators and politicians. Among them was Kożuszek, who wrote:
“A serious matter. Things are not going Berlin’s way.”
In the same post, he added: “Fortunately, in line with Zembaczyński’s doctrine, our prime minister is not a ‘disloyal scoundrel.’”
Jacek Sasin also weighed in, stating: “It’s good that you’ve finally looked in the mirror.”
“Time and again, you prove that you do not understand what is really happening around us. It is you who consistently undermines our defense alliances, attacks and questions transatlantic relations. For years, you have sown distrust toward the strongest pillar of NATO—the United States—and done everything to ensure Poland is treated in Washington as an unwelcome petitioner rather than a key ally,” he wrote, adding:
“And now you have the audacity to write about the ‘disintegration of the alliance,’ as if someone other than the circles you represent were responsible.”