US President Donald Trump announced he is considering moving American soldiers withdrawn from Germany to Poland, sparking immediate international reactions.
Trump Considers Poland for Troop Shift
US President Donald Trump has declared he is considering relocating a portion of American soldiers currently being withdrawn from Germany to Poland. The statement came during a discussion with journalists before Trump’s departure to Virginia. The American leader highlighted good relations with Poland and referenced President Karol Nawrocki. However, the US administration has not yet made final decisions regarding the scale of troop reductions in Germany.
The issue of American troop presence in Europe re-entered the debate following Donald Trump’s remarks about withdrawing some forces from Germany. Journalists questioned the United States President on whether soldiers leaving German bases could be directed to Poland.
Trump did not rule out such a scenario, acknowledging Poland’s interest in increasing the US military presence on its territory and emphasizing the very good relations between the two nations. He particularly underscored his personal contacts with Karol Nawrocki.
Donald Trump stated, “Poland would very much want that. We have great relations with Poland, and I have very good relations with President Nawrocki. I supported him, and he won despite a difficult situation. He is a great warrior and a great man.”
When pressed by reporters if he would indeed decide on such a move, he replied concisely: “I can do it.”
The statement immediately prompted comments in both Poland and Germany, where the topic of reducing the American military presence increasingly raises political and economic concerns.
Germany Under Trump Administration Pressure
In recent weeks, Donald Trump has again hardened his rhetoric towards Berlin. The US President has long criticized Germany for its insufficient defense spending within NATO and, in his opinion, inadequate commitment to European security.
Previously, the Trump administration had announced the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 soldiers from Germany, but last week the American president suggested the scale of reductions could be significantly larger. Specific numbers have not yet been officially confirmed.
On Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio tempered speculation, emphasizing that final decisions had not yet been made. This indicates that analyses concerning the deployment of US forces in Europe are still ongoing within the US administration.
According to Pentagon data, about 35,000 American soldiers are currently stationed in Germany, making it one of the most crucial logistical and operational points for US forces outside the United States. Bases in Ramstein, Grafenwöhr, and Stuttgart house command centers, aviation infrastructure, and support facilities for NATO operations.
Experts note that any potential increase in the US military presence in Poland would align with a broader strategic shift, moving NATO’s security focus more towards the Alliance’s eastern flank. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Poland’s significance as a key military partner for the United States has clearly grown.
Poland Has Long Sought Greater US Military Presence
Warsaw has for many years sought to increase the number of American soldiers stationed in Poland. During Donald Trump’s first term, the concept of establishing a permanent military base, referred to by media as “Fort Trump,” emerged.
Although the project in that specific form was never realized, the presence of US troops in Poland has systematically increased. After 2022 and the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, the number of American soldiers temporarily exceeded 10,000.
Today, Poland hosts, among others, the American V Corps command in Poznań, elements of missile defense systems, and expanded logistical and storage infrastructure for NATO forces. Poland also consistently increases its own defense spending. According to NATO data, by 2025, Poland remains one of the states allocating the largest percentage of its GDP to the military within the entire Alliance.
Trump Also Mentions Russia-Ukraine Truce
During the conversation with journalists, Donald Trump also referred to the three-day truce with Ukraine announced by Russia for Russian Victory Day. The US President claimed the initiative came from him, not Vladimir Putin.
Trump stated that both the Russian leader and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had easily agreed to the proposed solution. He expressed hope that the temporary cessation of fighting would mark the beginning of a broader peace process.
The American president was also asked about the possibility of sending his representatives to Moscow to conduct further negotiations. He replied that he would be ready to take such a step if he believed it could help end the conflict.
Trump’s remarks come at a time of growing uncertainty regarding future US security policy towards Europe. NATO countries are increasingly closely observing signals from Washington, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine and possible changes in the deployment of American troops on the continent.