Poland has formally proposed the creation of a new permanent United States military base on its territory, as Warsaw seeks to reinforce the American military presence on NATO’s eastern flank amid uncertainty over future US deployments in Europe.

Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland’s deputy prime minister and minister of national defence, said he had submitted the proposal to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. According to Polish media reports, the minister said Washington’s involvement in Polish security was not decreasing and could become “even greater”.

“I have submitted to US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth an official proposal to create a new permanent base for American troops in Poland,” Kosiniak-Kamysz wrote. “A safe Poland means a strong army, a strong society, and also strong alliances.”

The proposal comes at a time when Poland is seeking more precise guarantees about the future scale and character of the US military presence in the country. Warsaw already hosts a substantial American contingent, although it does not have a classic standalone US base of the type found in Germany or Italy. According to Poland’s Ministry of National Defence, around 10,000 US troops are stationed in Poland, mainly on a rotational basis.

The existing American footprint includes the forward headquarters of the US Army’s V Corps in Poznań, logistical and infrastructure sites, air facilities, and the Aegis Ashore missile defence installation at Redzikowo. The Redzikowo site became a major element of NATO’s missile defence architecture after the alliance declared the US-built facility operational in 2024.

Poland’s latest request follows reports that the Pentagon had delayed a planned deployment of several thousand troops to the country. In May, US Vice-President JD Vance said a US troop deployment to Poland had been delayed, but said the move should not be interpreted as a withdrawal from Europe. Reuters later reported that Polish officials had been told the delay was temporary and that no decision had been made to reduce the number of American troops in Poland.

Kosiniak-Kamysz has repeatedly sought to reassure the Polish public that the US commitment remains in place. After discussions with American officials, he said there had been no decision to reduce US forces in Poland and that Warsaw was involved in consultations on future US deployments in Europe.

The Polish government has long argued that the country’s geography and defence spending make it a natural location for a stronger US military presence. Poland borders Ukraine, Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave, and has become a key logistical hub for military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Warsaw also plans to spend 4.8 per cent of GDP on defence this year, the highest proportion among NATO allies, according to Polish officials cited by Reuters.

The proposal is also part of a broader debate within NATO over the balance between American and European responsibility for the defence of the continent. The Trump administration has pressed European allies to increase military spending, while Washington has reviewed the number and type of forces it maintains in Europe. These discussions have caused concern among eastern flank states, where US troops are seen not only as a military asset but also as a political signal of American commitment.

For Poland, a permanent US base would mark a change from the current model, which relies heavily on rotational deployments and shared infrastructure. It would also strengthen Warsaw’s argument that the US military presence in Poland should be treated as a long-term element of NATO deterrence rather than an adjustable operational arrangement.

The proposal is politically sensitive inside Poland. Recent polling indicates that 44.1 per cent of respondents support the creation of a new US military base in the country, while 40.9 per cent oppose it. The figures suggest that public opinion is closely divided, despite broad Polish support for NATO membership and continued assistance to Ukraine.

Russia has consistently criticised US and NATO military infrastructure in Poland. After the Redzikowo missile defence site became operational, Moscow described the facility as a threat, while NATO and the United States said it was designed to defend against ballistic missile threats and was not directed at Russia.

No final decision has been announced by Washington. Any move towards a new permanent base would require military, political and financial negotiations between Poland and the United States, as well as consideration of the wider NATO force posture. For now, Warsaw’s proposal is a clear signal that Poland wants the American presence to become more permanent, more visible and less dependent on changing rotational schedules.

The issue is therefore not only bilateral. It reflects a wider question facing NATO: whether the alliance’s eastern flank will remain anchored primarily by rotational deployments, or whether the war in Ukraine and continuing uncertainty over Russia’s intentions will lead to a more permanent US military architecture in Central and Eastern Europe.