Speaking on the issue, Tusk criticized a presidential minister who claimed that plans for permanent U.S. military bases in Poland were the result of the president's efforts rather than the government's. The minister also suggested that the government lacked effective channels of cooperation with Washington.
The prime minister rejected those assertions, emphasizing that cooperation between the government and the president had been possible until recently. He pointed to the period before Karol Nawrocki's January meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos as an example of constructive collaboration.
According to Tusk, relations between the government and the president have deteriorated in recent months.
The discussion follows reports that permanent U.S. military bases could be established in Poland. The information emerged on Thursday after Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz met with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Brussels.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said Hegseth praised Poland during NATO discussions as a model ally because it spends around 5 percent of its gross domestic product on defence, supports NATO's evolving defence plans, and plays a key role in protecting the alliance's eastern flank.
The comments came after US President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy an additional 5,000 American troops to Poland, describing the move as a sign of strong bilateral ties.
About 10,000 US troops are currently stationed in Poland, though most serve on a rotational basis.
The prospect of a long-term U.S. military presence in Poland is viewed as a significant development for the country's security and for NATO's eastern flank.
(aj)
SOURCE: IAR, PAP