Poland Pressures U.S. Over Troop Rotation Cancellation

WARSAW, Poland – Poland’s Deputy Defense Minister has announced plans to urge U.S. officials regarding the Pentagon’s recent decision to cancel a scheduled rotation of an armored brigade of U.S. Army soldiers. This decision has caused concern in Warsaw, despite previous assurances that the number of U.S. forces in Poland would remain stable.

Polish officials continue to view Warsaw as a model NATO ally and express hope for further military cooperation with the U.S. Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski mentioned in an exclusive interview that he expects answers as he prepares for discussions with Pentagon officials in Washington.

The Pentagon’s decision to halt the rotation of about 4,000 troops from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, has sparked unease in Poland. This brigade was expected to deploy to bolster NATO’s eastern positions, a procedure that typically occurs every nine months.

Currently, around 10,000 U.S. soldiers are stationed in Poland, largely through rotational deployments lasting several months. The suspension of these rotations has raised worries in Warsaw, as the U.S. military presence significantly relies on these regular troop movements.

As for the implications of this suspension, it remains uncertain whether it will lead to a permanent reduction of U.S. forces in Poland. Zalewski recalled assurances made by former President Trump to Poland’s leadership regarding troop levels.

“We will remain in Poland,” Trump had said back in September 2025, promising increased financial support if necessary.

The Pentagon clarified that the decision came after consultations with European Command (EUCOM), which oversees U.S. military operations in Europe. Acting Press Secretary Joel Valdez stated that this wasn’t a sudden decision and emphasized that it should not be reported as such. However, specific reasons for this suspension have not been detailed, and the White House did not provide comment on the matter.

This decision has faced criticism from both sides of the political aisle in the U.S., particularly since Poland is viewed as a crucial frontline state against Russian aggression. Army Secretary Pete Hegseth described Poland as a “model ally” during a visit in early 2025.

Rep. Don Bacon highlighted the negative impact on Poland while House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers noted that Congress was not adequately consulted about the changes.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Poland has become a vital military and logistics center for NATO, hosting rotating U.S. troops and serving as a launch point for military aid to Eastern Europe. Despite Trump’s previous threats of cutting U.S. aid to NATO allies over defense spending disparities, Poland stands out by allocating 4.8% of its GDP to defense—more than any other NATO member.

Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki acknowledged the prevailing dissatisfaction over communication of the U.S. decision but reassured that there has been no intention on the U.S. side to decrease its military presence in Poland.

While Bosacki waits for further clarification, he expressed expectation that troop rotations would continue and that the number of U.S. forces in Poland would remain steady at around 10,000. This situation unfolds against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s broader moves aimed at reducing the U.S. military footprint in Europe.

As part of this reorganization, the Pentagon announced plans to withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany and concluded the 101st Airborne Division’s rotational deployment to Romania in early 2026.

Zalewski emphasized that discussions in Washington will also cover NATO’s future structure and cooperation. He mentioned that these talks will delve into the “NATO 3.0” initiative, which aims to refocus U.S. military resources toward Asia while encouraging European allies to take on greater responsibility for their defense. The strategy includes boosting European military budgets and readiness while reducing reliance on large-scale U.S. deployments on the continent.

Despite highlighting Poland as a strong ally, Zalewski warned of ongoing hybrid threats posed by Russia, ranging from cyber attacks to misinformation campaigns. Polish officials have attributed several cyber incidents and attempts at sabotage to Russian actors, viewing these as part of a broader strategy to weaken NATO without direct military confrontation.

“Poland and the eastern NATO members are embroiled in a sort of hybrid war,” said Zalewski, pointing to issues such as airspace violations and disinformation efforts aimed at undercutting trust in the government and eroding support for alliances.

He expressed skepticism regarding potential U.S.-Russia relations, suggesting that Moscow continues to view the U.S. and NATO as adversaries with the long-term aim to fracture Western alliances.

Zalewski noted, “There are some ideas in the U.S. suggesting reconciliation with Russia, but it’s merely a façade from Moscow.” He reflected on historical perspectives, underscoring a long-standing enmity from Russian elites toward the U.S. since the early 20th century.