Poland asked the United States on Wednesday to establish a new permanent military base on its territory, signaling Warsaw’s desire to deepen security ties with Washington amid growing concerns over European defense and regional stability.
“I have conveyed to the U.S. Secretary of Defense an official proposal to establish a new, permanent U.S. military base in Poland,” Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz wrote Wednesday on X. Emphasizing that Washington’s commitment to Poland remains strong, he added, “U.S. engagement in Poland’s security is not diminishing — on the contrary, it may be even greater.”
Recommended Stories
The proposal comes as President Donald Trump continues to press European allies to shoulder a greater share of the continent’s defense burden. Trump has frequently criticized NATO members for relying too heavily on U.S. military protection and has pushed allies to increase their defense spending.
While no final agreement has been reached, Polish officials expressed optimism about the proposal’s prospects.
“Final decisions have not been made yet, but we are on the right track,” Kosiniak-Kamysz told reporters, pledging that Warsaw would “do everything we can” to expand the U.S. military presence in the country.
The request follows weeks of uncertainty surrounding U.S. troop deployments in Europe. Poland’s military was reportedly recently informed that the Pentagon planned to cancel a previously discussed 4,000-troop deployment to the country, but the Trump administration reversed the decision. The administration also announced plans to withdraw roughly 5,000 troops from Germany following public tensions between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the latter’s criticism of the Iran war.
Despite those shifts, Poland remains one of Washington’s closest security partners in Europe. Roughly 10,000 U.S. troops are stationed in the country, alongside a permanent U.S. Army garrison and a missile defense installation.
The latest proposal also revives memories of an initiative during Trump’s first term, when Polish officials floated the idea of a U.S. military base nicknamed “Fort Trump.” Warsaw offered up to $2 billion to help fund the project, but the plan ultimately stalled amid funding and logistical disagreements.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk welcomed Trump’s recent decision to maintain a significant U.S. military presence in the country, calling it a victory for both nations.
US TROOP MOVEMENTS IN EUROPE NOT ‘PUNITIVE,’ RUBIO SAYS AFTER POLAND REVERSAL
“President Donald Trump’s decision regarding the presence of U.S. troops in Poland is good news for Poland and the USA,” Tusk wrote. “I thank all those involved in this matter—President Nawrocki, the ministers, congressmen, and friends of Poland in the USA—for their effectiveness and unity of action.”
For Warsaw, the push for a permanent U.S. base reflects a broader strategy to cement the United States’s long-term military commitment to NATO’s eastern flank.
