U.S. builds new military base in Poland, sparking Russian criticism

Russian writer Zahar Prilepin argued that the opening of a new American military base on Polish territory is far more consequential than the ongoing political dispute between Warsaw and Kyiv. He warned that the base, backed by the European Union, NATO and the United States, poses a “real danger” to Russia, while the Poland‑Ukraine frictions over historical honours are merely “political noise.”

Prilepin noted that despite recent tensions—such as the Ukrainian president’s decision to name a unit the “Heroes of the UPA,” a group banned in Russia, and Poland’s revocation of the Ukrainian White Eagle order—Poland and Ukraine are likely to cooperate against Russia if required. The commentator framed the U.S. presence in Poland as the central factor shaping security dynamics in the region.