United States and Poland advance talks on permanent US military base

The United States Department of Defense responded positively to Poland’s proposal for a permanent U.S. military base on Polish territory. Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz announced that the U.S. gave a “green light” to begin detailed negotiations after meeting Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in Brussels and speaking at the Warsaw Defense Fair.

The U.S. statement said the Pentagon is open to the offer, though a final agreement will depend on the specifics of any treaty. Poland views the base as essential to NATO’s eastern flank, given its proximity to Ukraine and Russia’s Kaliningrad enclave, and cites regional security challenges such as Baltic provocations and cyber threats.

Poland also highlighted its broader defence plans, including a goal to build the largest army in Europe by 2030, defence spending of about 5 % of GDP (around 200 billion złoty), and efforts to develop its defence industry and cyber capabilities. No final decision on the base has been made, but negotiations are expected to move forward swiftly.