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Poland in talks to host more US troops: official

12.03.2024 14:30
The Polish government is in talks with US officials to increase America's military presence in the country, a deputy defence minister said on Tuesday.
Stanisław Wziątek
Stanisław Wziątek Przemysław Chmielewski/Polskie Radio

Stanisław Wziątek told public broadcaster Polish Radio that the US government could make the decision to send more troops to Poland, and that details of the deployment were being discussed.

Wziątek also said that Poland wants to strengthen its military cooperation with the United States to increase the capabilities of the Polish armed forces.

Security expert Michał Bruszewski told Polish Radio that increasing the number of US troops stationed in Poland would send a message to Russia that NATO is ready for a possible conflict.

Bruszewski added that US troops in Poland were already exercising with the Polish army to be able to work together in case of a crisis.

As Poland marks 25 years since joining NATO, its President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk are set to visit the White House on Tuesday for security talks with US President Joe Biden.

Ahead of the visit, the Polish president said he would embark on a diplomatic offensive to persuade NATO allies to increase their defence spending to 3 percent of GDP to bolster the alliance's strength in response to Russia's war in Ukraine.

Marking the 25th anniversary of Poland's NATO membership, the US ambassador to Warsaw, Mark Brzezinski, has lauded the country's contributions to the alliance and its key role in regional security.

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Source: IAR