US President Donald Trump has announced that Washington and Warsaw are making “major progress” towards establishing a permanent US Army base in Poland, signalling what could become a significant expansion of America’s long-term military presence on NATO’s eastern flank.
Trump said that negotiations over the project were advancing and suggested that a decision on the location of the base could be announced soon.
“Thanks to the bold leadership of my friend, Karol Nawrocki, President of Poland, major progress is being made toward establishing a U.S. Army base in Poland,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“If this happens, the location will be announced very soon. This will be a historic step for our Great U.S./Polish Alliance,” he added.
The announcement represents a potentially important development in Poland’s long-running efforts to turn the substantial American military presence in the country into a permanent deployment. US forces stationed in Poland have until now largely operated on a rotational basis.
Warsaw formally stepped up those efforts earlier this year. In June, the Polish government adopted a resolution authorising preparations for the establishment of a permanent US military base, including negotiations with Washington and work on possible locations, infrastructure and logistical support.
Polish Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz subsequently announced that the Pentagon had responded positively to Poland’s proposal, although no final decision had been taken at that stage.
Trump’s latest remarks suggest that the discussions have since moved forward considerably.
The announcement was welcomed across Poland’s political establishment. Sejm Speaker Włodzimierz Czarzasty said on Thursday that any development which strengthened Poland’s security should be regarded positively.
Regardless of who contributes to making Poland safer and ensuring that people feel more secure, “it is a good direction”, Czarzasty told TVN24, adding that he would like to see the permanent American base become a reality.
His comments underline the broad political significance attached in Warsaw to maintaining a strong US military presence in Poland, despite differences between the country’s political camps.
Attention will now turn to Kosiniak-Kamysz’s forthcoming visit to Washington, where he is due to meet US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Czarzasty said the talks could help bring the remaining issues surrounding the project to a conclusion.
The permanent base is expected to be among the subjects discussed by the two sides. Polish officials are also due to address wider bilateral defence cooperation, including plans concerning a PAC-3 missile servicing facility in Poland.
Possible locations for the American base have previously included Poznań and Wrocław. Kosiniak-Kamysz said in June that both locations had been highly rated by the US side, although Washington and Warsaw have yet to publicly confirm where a permanent installation would be established.
Poland has sought a permanent American military presence for years, viewing US forces as an important element of deterrence on NATO’s eastern flank, particularly since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in 2022.
Source: PAP, Polskie Radio
Photo: @White House
Tomasz Modrzejewski
