For the past two years, Poland has been at the heart of NATO’s eastern defense strategy, thanks in large part to US military support. When Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine,
President Joe Biden wasted no time in bolstering NATO’s eastern flank. In fact, he increased US troop presence in Poland, bringing in 10,000 soldiers to fortify the country and send a strong signal of American commitment to its allies.
Polish President Andrzej Duda was more than happy with this move, seeing it as vital for his country’s security, especially given Poland’s proximity to the Russian threat. The relationship seemed rock solid, with Poland emerging as a key partner in the West’s efforts to deter Russian aggression.
But as the war rages on, things are beginning to look a little less certain for Poland. Recent reports suggest that Trump might pull a significant portion of the US troops stationed in Central and Eastern Europe, including those in Poland.
According to NBC News, Trump is reportedly planning to withdraw up to half of the 20,000 US troops that Biden sent to CEE since the war in Ukraine began. The countries most likely to feel the impact are Poland and Romania, which have been at the forefront of NATO’s defense efforts along the eastern flank.
While Poland currently hosts around 10,000 US troops (a significant increase from the pre-war presence of 4,500), Trump’s foreign policy might prioritize other regions. Specifically, Trump is considering redeploying troops to Asia to focus more on countering China, as part of his “eastern pivot” strategy. This move would inevitably leave NATO’s eastern defenses—particularly Poland—more vulnerable than they’ve been in years.
Trump’s Political Earthquake
Poland’s leadership isn’t exactly thrilled about this potential shift in US policy. President Duda, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, and Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak were quick to assure their citizens that the withdrawal from Rzeszow, a key logistics hub, doesn’t mean a full-scale US departure from Poland.
The Polish government insists that this is just a repositioning of troops, not an abandonment of their military support. However, even as they downplay the significance of these changes, the question still lingers: what does this all mean for Poland’s future security?
What makes this situation more tense is that Trump has shown signs of being more open to negotiating with Russia than Biden. Back in 2021, Putin demanded the removal of US forces from CEE as part of a broader security agreement, but Biden flatly rejected this request. Trump, on the other hand, has indicated he might be willing to meet Putin halfway in an effort to normalize relations between the two countries.
If this happens, Poland could find itself in a tricky situation, as any US troop withdrawals could signal to Moscow that the West is starting to pull back, giving Russia an opening to strengthen its grip on the region.
Poland’s political landscape is divided on how to handle this. The outgoing conservative president is eager for more US troops, even suggesting that some could be redeployed from Germany to bolster Poland’s defense.
Warsaw’s Catch-22 Situation
However, the opposition has entertained the idea of shifting Poland’s focus toward France, especially if US influence begins to wane. If the US’s commitment seems shaky, it could help a pro-European candidate win, but a reaffirmation of US support could tip the scales in favor of Poland’s conservative, Duda’s faction.
Let’s not forget that Poland’s military is heavily reliant on American equipment, from fighter jets to tanks. A reduction in US troops could complicate maintenance and logistical support, not to mention the training and expertise that American forces bring to the table.
Ultimately, the withdrawal from Rzeszow isn’t likely to be the start of a full US exit from Poland. It seems more like a symbolic gesture—part of Trump’s broader strategy to reduce US military involvement in Europe as he pivots towards Asia.
Even with some troop reductions, Poland is expected to remain a key player in NATO, though the balance of power now depends on White House.