Poland seen as eastern flank deterrent as concerns grow over Russian provocations against NATO members
![US President Donald Trump speaks during an "End of Summer Barbecue" event with Republican lawmakers in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday (local time). [EPA]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/09/18/news-p.v1.20260918.2f42bdbe83d3410993682684727832fd_P1.jpg)
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US President Donald Trump said Thursday (local time) that significant progress has been made toward building a US military base in Poland.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that "tremendous news" had emerged thanks to the "bold leadership" of his "friend," Polish President Karol Nawrocki, saying significant progress had been made on constructing a US Army base in the country.
"If completed, the location will be announced very shortly and will be a historic move for the great US-Poland alliance," he added.
Nawrocki also posted on X, formerly Twitter, expressing gratitude and saying Poland "remains ready to continue working toward strengthening defense cooperation" with the United States.
About 10,000 US troops are currently stationed in Poland. The United States has rotated forces through Poland since 2017 and operates two permanent military facilities there, according to Politico. However, those facilities are designed to support small-scale troop deployments, and only six countries in Europe host permanent US military bases — Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium and Turkey — Politico added.
Trump's post also appeared aimed at Russia. With growing concern that Moscow could test NATO by taking provocative action against member states, the construction of a permanent US Army base in Poland could serve as a deterrent.
Poland, which shares a border with Ukraine, has sought to increase the US military presence on its soil as it plays a role on NATO's eastern flank against Russia.
While other NATO allies have drawn Trump's frustration over their lack of cooperation on Iran, Poland has been working to deepen its ties with Washington.
Nawrocki is a right-wing politician known for his pro-Trump leanings. The Defense Ministry canceled the deployment of 4,000 troops to Poland in May, but Trump shortly afterward promised to send 5,000 US troops to the country.
yckim6452@heraldcorp.com
