Polish Defense Minister W\u0142adys\u0142aw Kosiniak-Kamysz said Warsaw is prepared to strengthen NATO\u2019s eastern flank through a larger American military presence.<\/p>\n
\u201cPoland is ready to accept additional American troops in order to strengthen NATO\u2019s eastern flank and provide even better protection for Europe,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to the minister, the alliance between Poland and the United States remains the \u201ccornerstone of our security.\u201d<\/p>\n
The statement from the Polish side came just hours after Donald Trump spoke outside the White House. Responding to reporters\u2019 questions, the American president did not rule out relocating US troops to Poland or other countries on NATO\u2019s eastern flank.<\/p>\n
Trump also spoke positively about Polish President Karol Nawrocki, whom his administration had previously supported.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a great relationship with Poland, I have a great relationship with the president, I endorsed him and he won,\u201d Trump said. \u201cHe\u2019s a great fighter, he\u2019s a great guy, I like him a lot, so that\u2019s possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Currently, around 10,000 American troops are stationed in Poland. Against the backdrop of Russia\u2019s war against Ukraine and the growing Russian military presence in Belarus, Warsaw has been rapidly increasing defense spending.<\/p>\n
According to Bloomberg, Poland already spends nearly 5% of its GDP on defense \u2014 one of the highest levels among NATO countries.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Trump confirmed plans to reduce the American military presence in Germany. According to him, more than 5,000 US troops could leave Europe.<\/p>\n
According to Politico, some Pentagon officials were shocked by the decision<\/a>, since withdrawing troops from Germany had not been planned until the last moment.<\/p>\n