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US Commits to Maintaining Troop Presence in Poland
Polish President Andrzej Duda announced that the US has assured Poland that it will maintain its troop presence in the country and not reduce its commitment to regional security.
KIELCE, POLAND 09.06.2022 Photo by Spc. Devin Klecan U.S. Army V Corps
Polish President Andrzej Duda announced on Tuesday that the US has assured Poland that it will not reduce its troop presence in the country or elsewhere along NATO's eastern flank. This assurance comes amid concerns that the US might withdraw its forces from the region, following the Trump administration's stance that Europe must take more responsibility for its own security.
Duda's statement was made after a meeting with US Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Gen. Keith Kellogg. The Polish president expressed his confidence in the US commitment to the region, citing his conversations with Kellogg and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Hegseth reportedly told Duda that the US presence in Poland is likely to be strengthened, and even discussed the possibility of establishing a permanent US military base in Poland, known as "Fort Trump".
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The US currently has around 10,000 troops stationed in Poland, which were deployed after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. The US presence in the region has been a topic of concern, with some fearing that the Trump administration's "America First" policy might lead to a withdrawal of US forces.
However, Duda sought to reassure the public that the situation is under control, and that everything is being done to favor the building of peace in the region. He also emphasized Poland's commitment to its alliance with the US and its high level of defense spending, which he believes will help preserve the US commitment to NATO and regional security.
Polish officials hope that their country's strong alliance with the US will allow it to advocate for Ukraine's interests, and Duda stated that Poland has made it clear to the US that the war in Ukraine cannot end in a victory for Russia.
