Talks between Warsaw and Washington on the establishment of a permanent US base on Polish soil have progressed to the “next stage,” Poland’s defense minister has said.
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said in a social media post on Sunday that Washington is reviewing the availability of forces as Warsaw seeks to lock in the US military’s presence on NATO’s eastern flank amid uncertainty over the White House’s long-term defense commitment to Europe.
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Kosiniak-Kamysz said: “Following the positive response from the US Secretary of Defense to my proposal, we are at the next stage of talks. A force review is underway at the Pentagon, which will serve as the basis for further decisions.
“Increased US military engagement means stronger deterrence and a secure Poland,” the Polish defense minister added.
Although Poland currently plays host to around 10,000 US troops, the majority of them are stationed on a rotational basis, according to Polish state news agency PAP.
Kosiniak-Kamysz earlier this month said he submitted a proposal to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for the creation of a new permanent US military base in Poland, saying that Warsaw would “do everything to increase the presence of American troops.”
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Although Warsaw and Washington have for years enjoyed a close relationship, recent mixed signals from the Pentagon over its military posture in Europe have cast doubt on the reliability of the US as a security partner.
Europe’s defense has long been based largely on US protection guarantees, but that dynamic is being reconsidered by many across the continent as a result of increased tensions between Washington and its allies in NATO, with the Pentagon in May announcing plans to withdraw around 5,000 troops from Germany.
US President Donald Trump earlier this year even threatened to withdraw from the military alliance over his frustration with allies reluctant to support the US-Israeli war against Iran.
Trump also prompted concern about the future of the alliance with his repeated threats, made throughout 2025 and into early this year, to annex Greenland, which is part of NATO member Denmark.
The Trump administration caused surprise and confusion last month when it announced that it was halting the planned deployment of around 4,000 troops to Poland before the US president subsequently announced that an additional 5,000 American military personnel would be sent to Poland.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki, a Trump ally, has strongly opposed any moves that could see Warsaw drift away from Washington in favor of deeper military ties with European allies.
Former senior NATO official Fabrice Pothier told TVP World earlier this month that Europe should “believe and trust” in its own capabilities to defend itself amid Washington’s wavering commitment toward Europe’s security.
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