Poland Ready to Host U.S. Troops as NATO Exercise Highlights Poland‑Lithuania Defense Ties

Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced that Warsaw is prepared to receive U.S. troops redeployed from Germany, following President Donald Trump's directive to withdraw about 5,000 American soldiers from German bases. The statement was made during the NATO‑led joint exercise “Brave Griffin 26/II” in Lithuania, where Nawrocki and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda observed the drills and emphasized the need for a coordinated deterrence posture against Russia and Belarus.

Poland already hosts roughly 10,000 U.S. personnel and has begun diplomatic talks with Washington to accommodate additional forces. Defence ministers from both countries stressed that the move would strengthen security on NATO’s eastern flank. The exercise also showcased Poland’s 17th Mechanized Brigade and highlighted integrated defence initiatives such as the “Shield East” fortifications and the Baltic Defense Line, supported by defence spending above 5 % of GDP in both Poland and Lithuania.

Domestic debate exists, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk warning against “poaching” troops from neighbours, but the government maintains that any redeployment would not jeopardise European unity. The development underscores close Poland‑Lithuania cooperation within NATO and the broader strategic realignment of U.S. forces in Europe.