US troops in Poland to increase after talks with Trump, says Nawrocki

Polish President Karol Nawrocki, in an interview with Interia following his meetings in Washington, said he was very pleased that projects similar to Fort Trump had returned to the agenda.

“All the discussions revolved around projects directly reminiscent of Fort Trump. I hold strong hopes that we will return to this idea,” Nawrocki said.

He stressed that concrete steps had been taken to increase the presence of American troops in Poland. “The security declaration was very important to me. Not only did we secure this commitment, but in meetings held without media, we also paved the way for serious projects to be implemented by Ministers Sławomir Cenckiewicz and Pete Hegseth,” he said.

President Nawrocki also emphasized that gas imports from the US play a key role in achieving regional energy independence.

“American gas is the key to reducing Poland’s and the entire region’s dependence on Russian gas,” he stated.

Trump’s approach to Poland and Russia

Karol Nawrocki said that in his meeting with Donald Trump, he received direct and clear support for increasing the American military presence in Poland. “This was the main assurance I came to Washington for. Donald Trump’s openness stems both from the closeness of our worldviews and from our personal relations,” he said.

He added that the talks highlighted details concerning the strengthening of NATO’s eastern flank:

“I especially emphasized to Donald Trump how important the American military presence in Poland is. I explained that the Polish army is defending our borders, the threats against the Baltic states, and the provocations happening at our frontiers. All these issues point to the necessity of a permanent US presence and its expansion in the future.”

Nawrocki also noted that the meeting included comprehensive discussions on Russia and the war in Ukraine.

“I believe Donald Trump’s view of Vladimir Putin has changed. I think I reinforced that during our meeting. Trump said, ‘I thought ending the war in Ukraine would be easy, but it isn’t.’ I conveyed to him Europe’s and Poland’s feelings about the war. Europe is united in its determination for Ukraine to win,” the President said.

“Donald Trump, as the leader of the world’s most powerful country, is someone who knows how to listen. He asks questions and is open to views,” Nawrocki added, stressing Trump’s willingness to hear different analyses.

Polish domestic politics, relations with ministers, and gifts

Nawrocki also addressed debates within Polish domestic politics before his Washington trip:

“I met with Prime Minister Tusk, and we held a three-hour cabinet meeting. Minister Sikorski, on the other hand, sent me his own instructions and defiant warnings, which turned into a somewhat comical situation. Such attitudes do not serve Poland.”

Nevertheless, Nawrocki underlined that exemplary cooperation continues with some ministries. “We are smoothly carrying out our joint tasks with the Ministry of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz,” he said.

Reflecting on his first month in office, Nawrocki stated: “It has been a very intense month. I issued seven vetoes but signed thirty-one laws. I am working with determination to implement twenty-one commitments I made to the people during the election campaign.”

Finally, Nawrocki referred to the exchange of gifts with Trump: “Donald Trump gave me a signed photo of us prepared in the Oval Office with the inscription ‘You will win,’ a book he authored, and several other souvenirs. I presented him with a painting depicting an important speech he made in 2017 and an original insurgent armband from 1944,” he said.

“Trump sees the Polish people as a brave, proud, and independent nation. His interest in our history is reflected in his political decisions. I believe it is of great importance to share our past with him,” Nawrocki added.