Lithuania and Poland say they are ready to host US troops withdrawn from Germany
The Facts
- Lithuania and Poland both said they are ready to host US troops if those forces are withdrawn from Germany.
- Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said his priority is for any troops withdrawn from Germany to remain in Europe, and said Lithuania is ready to receive as many allied troops as it can.
- Polish President Karol Nawrocki said Poland is prepared to receive US troops moved out of Germany and said he would personally lobby President Donald Trump on the issue.
- Nawrocki said Poland already has infrastructure in place to host additional US troops.
- Multiple reports say the Pentagon is preparing to withdraw about 5,000 US troops from Germany over the next 6 to 12 months.
- The issue matters beyond Germany because both leaders linked keeping US troops in Europe to security interests on NATO's eastern flank, including Poland, the Baltic states, and Central and Eastern Europe.
- It remains unresolved where any troops withdrawn from Germany would ultimately be stationed, because Nawrocki said the final decision rests with US President Donald Trump.
How left and right are reading this
- Both agree
- Keeping any troops withdrawn from Germany in Europe would matter most for security on NATO’s eastern flank, where Poland, the Baltic states, and Central and Eastern Europe would feel the consequences of any reduced US presence.
- They split on
- Less a disagreement than a question of emphasis: the exposure of eastern NATO members if forces leave Europe, versus the practical readiness of Poland and Lithuania to host those troops if Washington keeps them on the flank.
Context
What did Lithuania say?
Nausėda said Lithuania wants any US troops withdrawn from Germany to stay in Europe and that Lithuania is ready to host as many allied troops as it can Առավոտ,kp.ru.
What did Poland say?
Nawrocki said Poland is ready to host US troops moved from Germany, said Poland has the necessary infrastructure, and said he plans to lobby Trump to keep those troops in Europe and send some to Poland unian,Deutsche Welle,Der Tagesspiegel.
What is still undecided?
Reports say the Pentagon is planning to withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany, but the sources indicate the final decision on where those forces would be based in Europe has not been settled and would be made by Washington Lenta.ru,Klix.ba,Der Tagesspiegel.
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