Thomas Rose, nominated earlier this year by Donald Trump to serve as the next US Ambassador to Poland, has appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His confirmation hearing was marked by enthusiastic praise for Poland, which he described as a model ally and a leading force in Europe on defence, energy, and cybersecurity.

While his appointment still requires formal approval by the committee and the full Senate, this is widely expected to be a procedural step. If confirmed, Rose will be officially sworn in by either the President or Vice President, a process that, according to unofficial sources, is likely to take around two months.

A staunch conservative with well-known pro-Israel views, Rose struck a conciliatory tone during the hearing. He stated clearly that he intends to work impartially with all political actors in Poland, regardless of party affiliation. He also touched on the sensitive subject of Polish-Israeli relations, asserting that Israel must acknowledge Poland’s historical experience as a victim of the Holocaust. Rose pledged to support efforts aimed at restoring diplomatic trust between the two nations.

During the Senate hearing, Rose said that Poland „is the guardian of NATO’s eastern flank…our strongest ally in Europe…not just another American ally… she is much more. Poland is family.”

He also described Poland as „very jealously assertive of its sovereignty, well aware of the risks that confront her geographically, politically and economically.”

„We have no issue with anybody in Poland; it is strongly pro-American,” he added.

„It was the Nazis, it was the Germans, it was their auxiliaries. Israelis need to understand this better. And Poles need to understand Israeli sensitivities better,” Rose continued.

Referring to the issue of Holocaust restitution, he said it was an important issue, but that „it is very, very important that we all remember who the victim was.”

„Poland was not a perpetrator of the Holocaust; Poland was a victim of the Holocaust,” he said.

„Of the 22 countries that Nazi Germany either occupied or co-opted through puppet regimes, the only one that was conquered and never surrendered was Poland. The Polish government removed itself to London, where it served in exile,” Rose added.

„We have outstanding relations with the current Polish government and the opposition, we have an excellent relationship with Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his Civic Coalition, we have a great relationship with the PiS party and the opposition coalition,” Rose further argued.

„If there’s one country in Europe where America doesn’t have a problem, it’s Poland,” he reiterated.

On NATO affairs, Rose emphasised that any decisions concerning the presence of US troops in Poland would be made in consultation with Warsaw and other NATO partners, reinforcing the collaborative nature of defence policy.

If confirmed, Rose is expected to take up his post later this year, amid evolving transatlantic dynamics and growing geopolitical tensions in the region.

Source: PAP, Polskie Radio

Photo: @PawelSokala

Tomasz Modrzejewski