Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said the US Department of Defense responded positively to Poland's proposal for a permanent US military base in Poland following his meeting with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Brussels on June 18, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. "The U.S. responded positively to Poland's proposal to establish a permanent U.S. military base in Poland," Kosiniak-Kamysz said [1]. He added, "In this spirit, I am pleased to inform you that the Department of Defense is open to Poland's offer regarding the permanent stationing of US forces on its territory, although any final decision will depend on the details of such an agreement," describing the matter as "a strategic national interest and a matter of state" [3].
Currently, Poland hosts US troops on a rotational basis and aims to strengthen NATO's eastern flank through a permanent US base [1, 2, 3]. The Pentagon called Poland a "model ally" in a letter emphasizing the US priority to engage closely with such countries [3]. Poland plans to coordinate negotiations on the base with the US government while requiring broad domestic political consensus and financial commitments to move forward [3].
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Department of Defense will conduct a comprehensive review of US troop deployments in Europe within six months of June 18, 2026 [1, 2]. During the meeting, Hegseth also warned that the US might reduce its NATO dues if allies fail to meet agreed defense spending levels. He said, "If allies do not meet their defence spending commitments, the US might withhold some NATO dues" [1].
The outcome of the troop deployment review will shape the future scale and structure of US forces in Europe, including the possibility of permanently stationing troops in Poland. No final decisions on the new base have yet been made, and ongoing consultations will determine the exact terms.
The next key step is the US Department of Defense's planned review of troop deployments in Europe within six months after June 18, 2026, which will influence the US military presence and partnerships on the continent [1, 2].
