Uncertainty rises in Europe: US sends 5,000 troops to Poland

US President Donald Trump announced that an additional 5,000 American troops will be sent to Poland. This decision has further intensified uncertainties regarding Washington's military policy in NATO and Europe, writes Al Jazeera.

 

It is noted that Trump made this announcement on his social media page on Thursday, emphasizing that the decision is linked to his close relationship with Polish President Karol Nawrocki and his electoral victory.

 

"Based on my support for President-elect Karol Nawrocki and our good relations, the US will send an additional 5,000 troops to Poland," wrote Donald Trump.

 

The Polish president also welcomed this decision, noting that alliances should be built on cooperation and shared security. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that this decision would help maintain the current level of US troops in the country.

 

This statement came after the Pentagon announced a week earlier that the planned deployment of 4,000 American troops to Poland had been canceled. Additionally, earlier this month, Donald Trump had also stated that he would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.

 

Trump has long criticized European NATO member states for not sufficiently increasing their defense spending. In recent weeks, his criticism has sharpened further as European countries did not support US-Israeli military actions against Iran.

 

European countries, meanwhile, face uncertainties about how to shape their defense strategies due to the shifting policies of the US. Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard described the situation as "confusing."

 

According to the Associated Press, some officials within the US defense system have also indicated that they do not understand what the new decision entails.

 

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that at the NATO foreign ministers' meeting, allies would discuss the need to increase defense spending and take on more responsibility.

 

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte supported the decision to send additional troops to Poland, emphasizing that European countries need to reduce their dependence on the US.

 

At the same time, the Pentagon has also announced a plan to reduce the number of combat brigades in Europe from four to three. It remains unclear whether the new troops said to be sent to Poland will replace the previously canceled contingent or be relocated from Germany.