Polish president reiterates hope for increased US troop presence

In an interview with public broadcaster Polish Radio, Duda said that negotiations on a permanent presence of US troops in Poland were under way. He also said that the final decision was primarily up to the administration in Washington.

Duda said it could not be ruled out that the Americans would strengthen their forces in several locations in Poland instead of deciding to set up a single base.

The Polish president joked at a news conference at the White House in September that a permanent US army base in Poland could be named after Donald Trump.

Duda suggested in a media interview in October that a possible new permanent US military base in Poland could effectively be a done deal.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post has said in an analysis that talks about a permanent US military presence in Poland appear to be moving ahead.

The paper reported that the "discussions appear to have moved on from the idea of one or several major bases — as it is the case in neighboring Germany — to a more hybrid approach that could result in US personnel being based in existing buildings across the country."

(gs)

Source: IAR/Polish Radio