Poland offers US permanent military base, citing US interest

Around 10,000 U.S. troops are typically stationed in Poland, the majority on a rotational basis. The Polish government is hoping that thousands of U.S. troops be stationed permanently, as the U.S. rethinks its military presence in Europe, both in personnel and weaponry.

In May, the U.S. halted the deployment of 4,000 soldiers to Poland, causing confusion. Tomczyk was part of a Polish team dispatched to Washington for talks. He was still in the U.S. capital when President Donald Trump wrote on social media that the U.S. would send an additional 5,000 troops to Poland.

Since then, the U.S. has confirmed it is reorganizing its troop presence in Europe but has given no further clarity. However, multiple statements from Polish defense officials indicate they believe Poland has a chance to see an increase in permanent U.S. troops.

“Sometimes a rotating model can change into a permanent model and this is always much better,” Defense Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz said in mid-May. Asked whether the Polish resolution came because the U.S. side signaled clear interest in having a permanent base in Poland, Tomczyk said Poland and the U.S. are “in a working dialogue” and that “the next step, after the two sides confirmed they are interested in this, is the official offer from the Polish state.”

“We can’t tell fortune from tea leaves,” Tomczyk said. “But we are a serious state which is presenting a serious offer to the Americans, in connection with the dialogue we are having with the Americans.”