Warsaw: Poland is prepared to accommodate additional US troops as part of efforts to reinforce NATO's eastern flank, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz announced on Saturday. This development comes amid ongoing discussions about US troop deployments in Europe.

According to Anadolu Agency, Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized the centrality of the Polish-American alliance to the region's security, stating, "Poland is ready to receive additional American soldiers in order to strengthen NATO's eastern flank and provide even better protection for Europe." His remarks follow US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's announcement of plans to withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany, with the possibility of further reductions indicated by US President Donald Trump.

Germany currently hosts approximately 35,000-37,000 US personnel, serving as a pivotal base for US operations across Europe. Poland has long advocated for a stronger and more enduring US military presence, viewing it as a crucial deterrent against Russia, particularly following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In response, Warsaw has significantly increased its defense spending and expanded cooperation with Washington, hosting rotational US forces, logistics hubs, and missile defense systems.

The potential reduction of US troops has sparked concerns in European capitals about the sustainability of Washington's commitment to NATO. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently cautioned that the alliance's greatest threat stems from internal fragmentation, not external forces, urging for enhanced transatlantic coordination. Meanwhile, a NATO spokeswoman confirmed that the alliance is collaborating with US authorities to understand the scope and implications of the planned troop drawdown.