Former US Ambassador to Poland warns against testing Polish intelligence amid diplomatic row sparked by current ambassador’s controversial remarks.
Ambassador’s Controversial Suggestion
Tom Rose suggested withdrawing troops from Poland but quickly retracted this statement. As reported, on Thursday (February 5), Rose responded from his personal social media account. The diplomat suggested that the United States could remove its soldiers and equipment from Poland. We requested comment from the US Embassy in Poland. By the time of publication, no response had been received, while the ambassador’s post was removed from the platform.
Former Ambassador’s Warning
Now, the current ambassador’s predecessor has responded to the situation. Daniel Fried was US Ambassador to Poland from 1997-2000. “Years ago, a Western European ambassador engaged in a public rivalry with a well-known Polish journalist and writer. This did not end well for the ambassador. I advise, don’t test Poles’ intelligence on their own territory. You will lose. Just withdraw with as much grace as possible,” Fried wrote on X on Friday, February 6.
Origin of the Dispute
On Monday (February 2), Włodzimierz Czarzasty stated that he would not support a motion to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Donald Trump, as he does not deserve it. The politician noted that Trump’s creation of new platforms, such as the Peace Council, is “illusory,” and Poland should strengthen existing organizations such as the EU or NATO. “President Trump destabilizes the situation in these organizations, representing a policy of force and conducting transactional policy by using force. This is a violation of policy principles, values, often violating international law,” said the Marshal of the Sejm.
Ambassador’s Response
These words angered the US Ambassador to Poland, Tom Rose. The diplomat announced that he was breaking contact with the Polish Marshal of the Sejm due to “offensive and unfounded slurs.” “We will not allow anyone to harm Polish-American relations or show disrespect to Donald Trump, who has done so much for Poland and Poles,” Rose wrote, among other things.
Escalation
In response, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reminded that “allies should respect, not lecture.” The ambassador suggested in response that the prime minister was mistaken and should direct his remarks to Włodzimierz Czarzasty.
