Polish premier Tusk and PiS leader Kaczyński spar over US troop rotation

The U.S. Pentagon canceled a planned rotation of about 4,000 American soldiers to Poland, a move reported by Reuters and CNN in mid‑May 2026. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk seized on the announcement, posting on X that the situation for the president and PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński was "getting worse" and blaming right‑wing politicians for jeopardising Poland’s security.

Kaczyński responded on the same platform, calling Tusk’s remarks a sign of his own weakness and accusing the premier of undermining NATO trust. Both leaders exchanged harsh words, with Tusk suggesting the Pentagon decision was part of a broader reduction of U.S. forces in Europe and Kaczyński labeling the outcome as a "sad to see" decline in Polish security.

Poland’s National Security Office later clarified that media reports of reduced U.S. presence did not directly target Poland, noting that a rotation of equipment and personnel continued. Tusk later downplayed the impact, describing the changes as logistical and not a threat to national defence. The dispute highlights ongoing political tension over Poland’s strategic alignment with the United States and NATO.