“We should look at what is happening in our country through the lens of our security. We are the ones at risk, because it is beyond our eastern border – not beyond Germany’s eastern border – that a war is taking place,” said Mariusz Błaszczak. The former Minister of National Defence presented his position in the ongoing debate on whether Poland should seek the redeployment of American troops withdrawing from Germany.
The United States has decided to withdraw some of its troops from Germany. Around 5,000 soldiers are expected to leave within the next year. A base and more than 20,000 military personnel will remain there. U.S. President Donald Trump has not explicitly explained the reasons behind his decision.
The situation has sparked a discussion about the possible relocation of American troops to Poland; however, Prime Minister Donald Tusk is not inclined toward such a move. He described the proposal as “poaching”, which could be perceived as “a breach of solidarity or cooperation at the European level”.
When asked on Polish Radio Program One whether Poland should seek to host the 5,000 troops being withdrawn from Germany, Mariusz Błaszczak replied: “Of course, yes”, adding that “we should do so because we must view what is happening in our country in terms of our security. We are the ones at risk, because it is beyond our eastern border – not beyond Germany’s eastern border – that a war is taking place.”
