Poland seeks to influence US decision on military presence, Tusk says

Poland is working to influence Pentagon decision on reducing the US military presence in the country, Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said.

Speaking during a cabinet meeting, he stressed that Warsaw is actively engaged in diplomatic and defence-level talks with Washington, Caliber.Az reports via Polish media. 

He said representatives of Poland’s Ministry of National Defence have already travelled to the United States for consultations with Pentagon officials.

Tusk also noted upcoming high-level military contacts, including a meeting in Brussels on May 19 between Poland’s Chief of the General Staff, General Wiesław Kukula, and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Alexander Grinkevich.

The Polish prime minister expressed hope that ongoing discussions would help maintain a strong US military presence in Poland, which he described as crucial for both national security and broader European stability.

“All ongoing negotiations with the American side are focused on the issue of the US military presence in Poland,” Tusk said, adding that Poland remains one of Washington’s key allies in Europe.

He also emphasised that the presence of US forces in Poland plays an important role not only in national defence but also in maintaining the wider international security architecture.

The comments come days after the Pentagon halted a planned rotation of approximately 4,000 U.S. Army troops to Poland, sparking concern in Warsaw and criticism from U.S. lawmakers. The move affected the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, which had been scheduled to deploy to Poland and other eastern flank positions as part of a routine nine-month NATO force rotation.

By Sabina Mammadli