Trump: US to Send 5,000 More Troops to Poland

Washington, May 21 (CNA) – Following Vice President JD Vance's recent statement that the plan to deploy 4,000 troops to Poland was delayed rather than canceled, US President Donald Trump announced today that an additional 5,000 American troops would be sent to Poland. Trump had previously discussed changes in US troop deployment in Europe with Polish President Karol Nawrocki earlier this month, after Washington announced a reduction of US forces in Germany. Polish Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski recently revealed to Polish media that the Polish government was negotiating with the Pentagon to strengthen the US military presence in Poland. Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, "Based on Nawrocki's successful election as President of Poland, and our relationship with him, I am pleased to announce that the United States will send an additional 5,000 soldiers to Poland." He also expressed pride in having endorsed Nawrocki. Currently, there are approximately 8,500 US troops stationed in Poland, participating in NATO missions and bilateral agreements. Poland is a crucial NATO ally on the eastern flank bordering Russia. Foreign reports indicated that Vance emphasized earlier this week that Europe must "stand on its own two feet." The US military deployment plan in Europe has recently drawn significant attention. In early May, Washington announced it would withdraw about 5,000 US troops from Germany after Trump clashed with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the Iran war issue. Trump had criticized Europe's response to his confrontation with Iran and threatened to consider withdrawing from NATO. According to the Defense Manpower Data Center, as of last December, approximately 68,000 active-duty US military personnel were permanently stationed at overseas bases in Europe. This figure does not include rotational deployments or military exercise personnel.