4:52 18 May 2026
Poland reassured on US troops
Poland's National Security Bureau (BBN) moved to calm public concern on 17 May after Reuters and CNN reported that the Pentagon had cancelled plans to rotate 4,000 US soldiers into Poland — part of a broader series of moves by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to reduce American force numbers in Europe. The BBN, headed by Bartosz Grodecki, stated via social media that such media reports do not apply directly or ultimately to Poland, characterising current troop movements as routine rotation rather than a strategic drawdown; US personnel and equipment are actively moving into Poland, he said. Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz separately reiterated on 16 May that no decision to reduce the American footprint in Poland has been taken, pointing to the continued presence of US facilities at Poznań, Bolesławiec, Wrocław, Powidz, Łask, Orzysz and the Redzikowo missile shield site. Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the developments as "logistical in nature." President Nawrocki met the Defence Minister and Army Chief of Staff on 15 May, with the BBN stating the president expects all government bodies to cooperate in expanding — not reducing — the US presence in Poland.
