Trump plans Poland troop announcement

Bloomberg

President Donald Trump plans to make an announcement on US troop commitments in Poland after discussions about establishing a military base that the country’s president has dubbed “Fort Trump.”
The announcement will come as Polish President Andrzej Duda meets with Trump at the White House, according to administration officials.
The officials, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity, wouldn’t say whether there would be an announcement about the base or preview any details about the troop commitment.
But they said it would enhance the US commitment to NATO.
They declined to say whether the announcement will involve the permanent stationing of US troops in Poland. They also declined to say whether Trump will visit Poland later this year as part of the new commitment. Andrzej Dera, a minister at Duda’s chancellery in Warsaw, confirmed that a deal would be signed.
“President Duda intends to sign an agreement that substantially boosts the US military presence in Poland,” Dera told broadcaster Polsat News.
“It will be a boost to infrastructure and troops, but it won’t be a classic base like the US has Ramstein in Germany.”
While the announcement is expected to fall short of initial aspirations of Polish leaders who asked American officials for the permanent stationing of a full Army brigade, it will be touted as a political success and geopolitical game changer as it foresees an enduring presence of US troops.
Polish media earlier reported the deal bolsters some 4,000 troops the US now rotates in and out of Poland by over 1,000 soldiers and envisages the European Union’s largest eastern member will cover the cost of upgrades of military infrastructure and related utility bills.
“Security is priceless and we can afford it,” Dera said.
Trump and Duda plan to take questions about the announcement at a joint news conference at the White House. Duda’s visit comes 20 years after Poland joined NATO.