Polish President Karol Nawrocki said Tuesday that a planned permanent U.S. military base in Poland would be named "Fort Trump" if established, calling the project a matter of time under President Donald Trump's leadership.
Speaking to Bloomberg Television from New York during the United Nations General Assembly, Nawrocki expressed confidence that the base would advance because "President Trump is famous for keeping his word." He noted that U.S. consultants have visited Poland and that infrastructure selection is underway, with remaining administrative and financial details to be finalized.
Nawrocki said he hopes construction can finish before Trump's term ends in 2029 so the U.S. president can attend the inauguration. "Poland pays for its security," he added, emphasizing Warsaw's willingness to cover costs for American forces.
The proposal revives an idea first floated during Trump's first term, when Poland offered up to $2 billion to host a division-sized force. Current plans call for a brigade-sized contingent of roughly 4,000 to 5,000 troops at the new permanent facility, raising the total U.S. presence in Poland toward 15,000 when combined with existing rotational forces.
Trump posted last week that "major progress" is being made on the base thanks to Nawrocki's "bold leadership," describing it as a historic step for the U.S.-Polish alliance. Deputy Defense Minister Stanisław Wziątek recently voiced similar optimism about an announcement soon.
Poland has long sought a fixed American footprint on its territory to deter Russian aggression, particularly amid ongoing hybrid threats and airspace incursions. The base would mark a significant expansion of the roughly 10,000 U.S. troops already rotating through Polish facilities.
Right-of-center observers have welcomed the development as evidence of renewed transatlantic resolve under Trump, contrasting with prior European reluctance on defense spending. Poland's commitment stands out as it funds much of the infrastructure itself while strengthening NATO's eastern flank.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.