Poland is seeking a greater US military presence on its territory following talks between senior Polish and American commanders in Vilnius, as Warsaw positions itself at the centre of NATO’s evolving security architecture.
Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, Wiesław Kukuła, met NATO and US Europe commander Alexus Grynkewich during a conference of Northern European defence chiefs in the Lithuanian capital, Caliber.Az reports via Polish media.
According to Poland’s General Staff, the discussions focused on Poland’s role in NATO’s new security framework and the broader “NATO 3.0” concept promoted by the Pentagon, which envisages European allies assuming greater responsibility for the continent’s defence, with Germany playing a leading role.
A key topic was the possible increase in the number of US troops stationed in Poland, a move seen as strengthening NATO’s eastern flank amid growing regional tensions.
The talks come as the Pentagon considers withdrawing around 5,000 American troops from Germany within the next six to 12 months. The reported plans emerged after an exchange between US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the war with Iran.
Trump has not ruled out relocating some of those forces to Poland, although initial proposals reportedly envisaged returning part of the contingent to the United States before any redeployment to the Indo-Pacific region.
Polish Deputy Defence Minister Paweł Zalewski said Warsaw’s intention was to expand American military capabilities in the country, while noting that any decision on troop relocation would rest with Washington. He added that several potential locations for new units were under consideration.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki said he discussed the possible redeployment of US troops from Germany during talks with Trump on May 3, adding that Poland was prepared to host additional American forces if requested.
Nawrocki argued that accepting relocated troops would not be directed against Poland’s western neighbours, but would instead represent a contribution to regional security, including for countries belonging to the Bucharest Nine grouping.
Around 10,000 US troops are currently stationed in Poland under both permanent and rotational deployments. Permanent installations include the missile defence base in Redzikowo, the forward headquarters of the US Army’s V Corps in Poznań, and the garrison in Powidz, where equipment for an American armoured brigade is stored.
Rotational deployments include a US armoured combat team with units based in western Poland, including Żagań, Świętoszów, Bolesławiec, Skwierzyna and Toruń.
By Aghakazim Guliyev