Poland Considers Permanent U.S. Military Base

Poland is actively considering the establishment of a permanent U.S. military base within its borders, a move that would significantly bolster American military presence in the strategically vital Eastern European NATO flank.

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We have already finished the initial (stage of the process), not to mention the political will, which was expressed a long time ago.

Deputy Defense Minister Pawel Zalewskis indicated that initial stages of the process are complete and that there is political will to proceed. "We have already finished the initial (stage of the process), not to mention the political will, which was expressed a long time ago," he told public broadcaster TVP. Zalewskis added that Washington has informed Warsaw about the creation of an "American team that will be... (Poland's) partner (in negotiations)."

Currently, nearly 10,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Poland primarily on a rotational basis. The potential permanent base comes as the United States conducts a review of its military presence in Europe, urging European nations to take greater responsibility for their own defense. Poland, which dedicates approximately 5% of its GDP to defense spending, seeks to deepen its security cooperation with the U.S.

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Washington has informed Warsaw about the creation of an 'American team that will be... (Poland's) partner (in negotiations).

While both the United States and Poland are exchanging proposals, Zalewskis clarified that these are "not yet official." This development follows past U.S. criticism of some European countries for not allowing U.S. forces access to bases during the war with Iran, and threats from then-U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to reduce contributions to the NATO budget if commitments were not met.

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they 'are not yet official'.