US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Washington and Warsaw are making “major progress” toward establishing a permanent American military base in Poland. The development could grant the United States a lasting strategic foothold on NATO’s eastern border, even as the Trump administration conducts a broader review of its military footprint across Europe.
Speaking on social media, Trump credited Polish President Karol Nawrocki with the advancement. “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 stated. He added that if the agreement is finalized, the site location would be revealed shortly, describing the potential facility as a “historic step for our Great U.S./Polish Alliance.”
The announcement follows Poland’s confirmation that it is in active discussions with US officials regarding the base. Polish Deputy Defence Minister Pawel Zalewski revealed in August that negotiations are underway to determine whether a permanent installation should be established on Polish soil. He noted that the initial stage of the process has been completed and emphasized the long-standing political will behind the initiative.
Currently, approximately 10,000 US troops are stationed in Poland, but they operate primarily on a rotational basis rather than as a permanent garrison. Poland, which shares borders with both Ukraine and Russia and dedicates roughly five percent of its GDP to defense, is keen on solidifying the American military presence in the region.
President Nawrocki, a conservative ally of Trump who visited the White House last year, reiterated Poland’s commitment. “We are ready to continue our efforts to strengthen our defense cooperation: seriously, responsibly, and always together,” Nawrocki said on X. “I can assure you that the Polish government will do its utmost to provide the best possible location for the US Army base.”
The push for a permanent base comes amid tension within the alliance. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently told NATO allies that Washington is reviewing its military presence in Europe, sparking anxiety among partners about potential force reductions. Hegseth has also warned that the US may cut its contribution to the alliance’s budget if member states fail to honor commitments made at the previous NATO summit in The Hague, where allies agreed to increase security spending to at least five percent of GDP by 2035.
Washington has previously criticized several European nations for refusing to allow US forces to utilize NATO bases during its conflict with Iran, further complicating transatlantic defense relations.
Poland spending five percent of GDP on defense is impressive. Hopefully this base solidifies their security against regional threats.
Interesting that this push happens while the Pentagon reviews its European footprint. Seems contradictory on the surface.