US military base in Poland talks advance as Warsaw invites permanent presence on NATO eastern flank

Poland said the United States has shown interest in a possible permanent US military base in Poland. The comments came from deputy defence minister Cezary Tomczyk on Wednesday. The base would sit on NATO’s eastern flank. Poland said the move followed government steps to allow such a base.

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Tomczyk spoke to The Associated Press in an interview at the Defence Ministry in Warsaw. The Polish government approved a resolution on Tuesday. Tomczyk said the measure acts as an invitation to Washington. US Defence Department officials in Washington said they had nothing new to announce.

Permanent US military base in Poland and shared financing

Tomczyk said US interest links to how the project could be funded. Tomczyk said it would be paid for by both countries. Tomczyk said: "The Americans are interested in the Polish offer to place a permanent base here, because it would be financed by both countries.\" Tomczyk said the resolution is meant to back that offer.

Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland wants the base. Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland is doing everything possible to secure it. Kosiniak-Kamysz also said the final call rests with the US side. Poland currently hosts around 10,000 US troops, mostly on rotation.

Permanent US military base in Poland and troop levels in Europe

Poland wants thousands of US troops to be based permanently. The push comes as the US reviews its military presence in Europe. The review covers personnel and weaponry. Poland has watched the process closely. Polish officials have suggested the changes could increase long-term US deployments in Poland.

In May, the US halted the deployment of 4,000 soldiers to Poland. This happened despite the Trump administration calling Poland a model ally. Poland has met NATO targets for defence spending. US President Donald Trump had earlier threatened to pull troops from Germany. The troop pause in Poland led to confusion on both sides.

Tomczyk said Poland moved quickly to seek clarity in Washington. Tomczyk joined a Polish team sent for talks. Tomczyk was still in the US capital when Trump posted online. Trump wrote that the US would send an additional 5,000 troops to Poland. Later, the US confirmed a broader reorganisation in Europe.

Washington has not said which units will move where. Polish defence officials have still pointed to possible gains for Poland. Kosiniak-Kamysz said in mid-May: \"Sometimes a rotating model can change into a permanent model and this is always much better,\" Kosiniak-Kamysz said in mid-May.

Permanent US military base in Poland and Poland-US dialogue

Tomczyk was asked if Warsaw acted after clear US signals. Tomczyk said Poland and the US remain in a working dialogue. Tomczyk said the next step is a formal state offer. Tomczyk said: \"We cant tell fortune from tea leaves, Tomczyk said. But we are a serious state which is presenting a serious offer to the Americans, in connection with the dialogue we are having with the Americans.\"

Poland’s government said the resolution is a step towards hosting a permanent base. US officials have not confirmed any decision. For now, Poland continues to host about 10,000 US troops, mainly rotating. Polish leaders say they will keep pressing their case. Any permanent move would still depend on Washington.

With inputs from PTI