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US President Donald Trump has admitted he is considering moving some of the American troops being withdrawn from Germany to Poland.
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The statement was made during a conversation with journalists at the White House and fits into a broader debate over a new NATO balance of power in Central and Eastern Europe.
When asked about the possibility of relocating some of the forces to Poland, Trump replied that “it’s possible,” stressing the very good relations with the Polish authorities. In his remarks, he also referred to President Karol Nawrocki, whom he had previously backed publicly.
“Poland would like that. We have excellent relations with Poland. I have excellent relations with President [Nawrocki]. Remember, I endorsed him, and he won – even though he was trailing badly, he still won. He’s a great fighter, a terrific guy, I like him a lot, so it’s possible… I might do it,” Trump said.
Trump announces partial withdrawal
According to media reports, the US administration plans to withdraw around 5,000 troops from Germany over the next six to twelve months. Trump has suggested, however, that the scale of the reduction could be even greater. At present, some 35,000 to 37,000 American service personnel are stationed in Germany.
A few days ago, Nawrocki declared that Poland is ready to host American troops withdrawn from Germany and has the necessary military infrastructure. Warsaw views any increase in US forces as a way to strengthen regional security and NATO’s eastern flank.
“We already have the infrastructure in place, and it is in the interests of Poland, Lithuania and the Baltic states for as many American troops as possible to be stationed here,” Nawrocki says.
The decisions are set against a backdrop of tensions between the Trump administration and Berlin. As early as his first term, Trump criticised Germany for spending too little on defence and announced a reduction in the US military presence on its territory. In 2020, however, a similar plan for a partial withdrawal of troops ultimately did not go ahead.
Experts point out that what may prove crucial is not only the number of troops, but also where they are deployed.
“The US forces in Germany have their military importance, and an even greater political and historical significance. From our point of view, the American military presence in Germany should remain, that is clear. But once this reduction is underway, we should be making a strong case for those troops to be moved to Poland. That is in our interest. And Poland should send a clear signal on this,” Tomasz Szatkowski, a former Polish ambassador to NATO, said recently in an interview with Euronews.
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