Washington, 21 May 2026
US President Donald Trump announced the deployment of an additional 5,000 US soldiers to Poland as part of a reorganization of American troops in Europe.
The move comes after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 troops from Germany earlier this month. This withdrawal followed criticism from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding Trump's actions in Iran.
Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that the number of American soldiers in Poland will not be reduced. 'The number of American soldiers in Poland will not be reduced,' he stated in Warsaw.
Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk clarified that the withdrawal announcement pertains to Germany, not Poland. 'Das ist nicht wahr. Diese Mitteilung betrifft Deutschland. Sie betrifft nicht Polen. Polen bemüht sich kontinuierlich um eine Verstärkung der amerikanischen Truppenpräsenz,' he said.
Troop Movements in Europe
As of mid-May, approximately 7,400 US soldiers were stationed in Poland, according to US military sources. Most of these soldiers rotate between various US military bases in Europe.
Trump cited his good relationship with Polish President Karol Nawrocki as a reason for the decision. Nawrocki won the Polish presidential runoff election in mid-2025 and visited Trump in the Oval Office later that year.
Poland has consistently sought to strengthen its military ties with the US. The country denied reports that it was affected by the halt of a combat brigade deployment to Europe, which was expected to station over 4,000 soldiers in Poland for nine months.
Political Context
The Wall Street Journal reported that the US Department of Defense halted the deployment of a combat brigade to Europe. However, Poland reaffirmed its willingness to accommodate more US soldiers.
The reorganization of US troops in Europe reflects shifting geopolitical priorities. Poland's strategic location and strong bilateral relations with the US make it a key ally in the region.