US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that negotiations over a permanent American military base in Poland have advanced significantly, describing the potential move as a milestone in relations between Washington and Warsaw.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump credited Polish President Karol Nawrocki for the progress, writing: "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." He added that if the plan materialises, the location would be announced "very soon," calling it "a historic step for our Great U.S./Polish Alliance."
The United States currently maintains around 10,000 rotational forces in Poland, spread across 11 installation sites, with the US Army Garrison headquartered in Poznań. A permanent base would mark a significant upgrade in the American military footprint on NATO's eastern flank.
The announcement comes after a period of turbulence in US-Poland defence relations. Earlier this year, the Trump administration threatened to withdraw troops from Poland as part of a broader push to reduce the American military presence in Europe, citing frustration over NATO allies' defence spending. That stance was later reversed, and Washington announced an additional 5,000 troops would be deployed to Poland, a move that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth praised, calling Poland a "model ally."
Hegseth's comments reflect the high regard for Nawrocki, who won the Polish presidential election in 2025 and has aligned closely with Trump on security matters. The State Department also approved $4 billion in military aid for Poland in September, underscoring the deepening defence relationship.
Poland's defence minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, responded positively to Trump's remarks, thanking the US president for his efforts toward "establishing a permanent US base in Poland."
A strategic shift on NATO's eastern flank
The prospect of a permanent US base in Poland carries significant strategic implications for the region. Poland has long sought a larger American presence as a deterrent against Russian aggression, particularly after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The country has also been a vocal advocate for stronger NATO defences along the alliance's eastern border.
Recent incidents, including Russian strikes near the Polish border that triggered air raid alerts, have heightened concerns in Warsaw about the security situation. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has also warned of Russian drone strikes on Poland and other NATO allies, adding urgency to the debate over permanent basing.
For the Trump administration, the move appears to be part of a broader recalibration of US commitments in Europe. While the president has repeatedly criticised European allies for not spending enough on defence, he has also sought to reward countries that meet or exceed NATO's 2% GDP target. Poland, which spends over 4% of its GDP on defence, is one of the alliance's top spenders.
The announcement also comes amid shifting transatlantic dynamics. The Trump administration has pressured European allies to take on more responsibility for their own security, while also pursuing closer ties with some partners outside the EU. In that context, the US-Poland relationship stands out as a model of burden-sharing, with Warsaw eager to host American forces permanently.
However, the exact timeline and location of the proposed base remain unclear. Trump said the location would be announced "very soon," but no further details were provided. Polish officials have previously suggested that a permanent base could be located in the eastern part of the country, closer to the border with Belarus and Ukraine, though no official decision has been made.
The potential base would be a major boost for Poland's security posture, but it also raises questions about the future of US forces elsewhere in Europe. As Washington shifts its focus to the Indo-Pacific, some analysts wonder whether a permanent base in Poland would come at the expense of deployments in Germany or other Western European countries.
For now, the announcement has been welcomed in Warsaw, where officials see it as a tangible sign of American commitment. But the details remain to be negotiated, and the path to a permanent base is likely to involve complex discussions over costs, legal status, and operational requirements.
As the situation evolves, European observers will be watching closely to see whether the promised "historic step" materialises and what it means for the broader security architecture on the continent.
