Following Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s endorsement of Polish-American defense cooperation on Monday, May 18, presidential official Karol Nawrocki criticized the PM’s past rhetoric while welcoming his shift toward the president’s diplomatic stance.
Tusk Reaffirms Transatlantic Ties
On Monday, May 18, during the opening of an authorized Abrams tank service center, Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized that there is no alternative to Polish-American and European-American cooperation. He stated that the new service agreement confirms the strength of the relationship, expressing confidence that mutual trust remains the foundation of security despite current geopolitical turbulence.
The Prime Minister noted that from Poland’s perspective, transatlantic unity is the primary guarantee of international stability. He argued that it is the government’s duty to maintain these essential bilateral relations.
Nawrocki Welcomes the Prime Minister’s Reframing
Journalist Marcin Wikło asked Karol Nawrocki about the Prime Minister’s shifting narrative regarding U.S. relations, contrasting recent comments with Tusk’s April interview in the Financial Times. In that interview, the Prime Minister had questioned the reliability of U.S. loyalty under NATO treaty obligations.
Responding to the shift, Nawrocki stated he is pleased the Prime Minister finally listened to the President of Poland, who had long championed strong Polish-American ties. He suggested that if the Prime Minister has reached a moment of reflection, it is a positive development for international diplomacy. Nawrocki urged the head of government to act more responsibly and avoid imprudent public remarks about allies in the future.
Government Response to Pentagon Decisions
The discussion follows Reuters reports from May 15 that the Pentagon canceled plans to rotate 4,000 U.S. troops into Poland. CNN further reported that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s decision to pause the rotation of an armored brigade is part of a broader reduction of U.S. forces in Europe, including the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany.
Prime Minister Tusk assured the public that he and Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz are in contact with U.S. commanders and NATO leadership, labeling the decisions as logistical rather than a threat to Poland’s security. Tusk appealed for unity, warning against exploiting national security concerns for short-term political gains.
