Trump Announces US Army Base Talks With Poland as Polish Leaders Clash Over Defense Credit

Proposal for permanent US military presence

United States President Donald Trump announced on 17 September 2026 that progress is being made toward establishing a permanent US Army base in Poland. Most American troops stationed in Poland currently serve on a rotational basis. While an official location has not been settled, officials have reviewed sites across three provinces: Lower Silesia, Lubusz, and West Pomerania, with potential locations including Wrocław, Oleśnica, and Szczecin. West Pomeranian Voivode Adam Rudawski pointed to local transport and defense infrastructure, including the port of Szczecin, the Drawsko Pomorskie military training area, and multinational NATO corps facilities.

“Thanks to the courageous leadership of my friend, Karol Nawrocki, President of Poland, great progress is being made toward establishing a US Army base in Poland. If so, the location will be announced soon.”

Domestic dispute over negotiation credit

The announcement triggered immediate political friction in Warsaw over credit for the defense initiative. Former President Bronisław Komorowski argued on Polsat News that establishing a permanent base stemmed from work by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, noting that Poland would fund base construction. Komorowski also expressed doubt that changing from rotational to permanent deployments would alter Polish security levels.

“Success has many fathers, but in my belief, if memory serves me right, the initiative to open this round of discussions with the American side regarding replacing temporary, rotational bases with a permanent base belongs to Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.”

Jakub Stefaniak, deputy head of the Prime Minister's Chancellery, stated on TOK FM that Polish defense officials had already toured potential sites with US delegations. Stefaniak warned that right-wing representatives might lobby US Republicans to delay the project past upcoming elections to deny the governing coalition a policy win. Lawmaker Mirosława Stachowiak-Różecka rejected that assertion, calling for seriousness in discussions about national defense, while Law and Justice parliamentarian Piotr Gliński criticized public broadcaster coverage for omitting Nawrocki's role in the talks. Former Prime Minister Waldemar Pawlak noted that the 17 September announcement date carried symbolic weight regarding deterrence against Russia.

Threat assessments and New York meetings

Security discussions in Warsaw and Washington unfolded alongside differing assessments of Russian threats against NATO allies. Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned lawmakers in the Sejm that Russia could intensify hybrid actions, including possible drone or missile strikes on nations supporting Ukraine, through late autumn and winter into early spring. In Washington, Trump addressed reporters at the White House on 18 September, stating that Russia had engaged in actions against Ukraine's allies for five years and affirming confidence in Polish defense preparations.

“Poland has a great president. He was a big Trump fan. He was in 12th place. I endorsed him, and now he is president. He is doing a great job.”

Polish President Karol Nawrocki arrived in New York on Friday evening for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, scheduled through Wednesday. His itinerary includes bilateral talks with the presidents of Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia, meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman, an appearance at the Polish-American Economic Summit, and a reception hosted by Donald and Melania Trump.