US President Donald Trump on Monday announced a reinforced military presence in Poland but said it wasn’t linked to any escalation of a threat from Russia.
Trump said during a meeting with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York that Poland will pay the cost of raising the number of troops, in line with his repeated statements that NATO countries rely heavily on US support.
“We’ll move soldiers there”, Trump said.
He added that the Poles “will build the facilities for us and I am sure it will be very beautiful”.
“They will bear the full cost”.
Trump gave few details about the plan’s goal, which is part of a “joint declaration on strengthening military cooperation” he signed with Duda during the meeting.
Under the agreement, the current number of US troops on duty in Poland – 4,500 will be increased by 1,000.
Trump said the soldiers would “probably” be moved from other bases in Europe.
Asked by reporters if the US military presence in Poland was aimed at countering Russia, Trump replied: “No, I don’t think so at all”.
Trump said he agreed with the idea because of his relationship with Duda, “who I like and I respect”.
