Trump announces 5,000 additional US troops for Poland deployment
US President Donald Trump announced on May 22 that 5,000 additional American troops will be deployed to Poland, citing his relationship with President Karol Nawrocki after earlier threatening troop reductions.
President Donald Trump announced on May 22, 2026, that the United States will deploy an additional 5,000 troops to Poland, reversing course after the Pentagon had scrapped a planned 4,000-troop deployment just one week earlier. Trump cited his friendship with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, whom he endorsed during Poland's presidential election, as the reason for the decision.
The announcement came as a surprise and deepened uncertainty about US military commitment to NATO allies in Europe. Just days earlier, Trump had withdrawn 5,000 troops from Germany following a diplomatic spat with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and the Pentagon had abruptly cancelled a planned Poland deployment.
What Polish officials said
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski welcomed the news, stating it ensures "the presence of American troops in Poland will be maintained more or less at previous levels." Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed Poland won't lose troops, with around 10,000 US soldiers expected to remain stationed in the country.
European uncertainty
The erratic policy changes have created confusion among European partners about US defense priorities. Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard described the situation as "confusing indeed, and not always easy to navigate." Polish officials noted that Warsaw pays significant sums toward the cost of US troop deployments.
For foreigners in Poland, the continued US military presence doesn't affect daily life directly but reflects Poland's strategic importance as a NATO member bordering Ukraine and Belarus. The troop presence contributes to regional security infrastructure, particularly around major bases like Powidz and Rzeszów.
