Poland offers to pay $15,000 a year per US soldier for permanent base

Poland's Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski has disclosed new details of Warsaw's offer to Washington regarding the establishment of a permanent US military base in Poland, speaking in an interview with Radio Liberty.

According to Zalewski, Poland is prepared to cover the costs of building infrastructure and to pay $15,000 per year for the upkeep of each American soldier stationed on Polish soil. He said these expenses would be covered by Polish taxpayers.

Talks with the Pentagon

Zalewski said negotiations with the Pentagon are currently focused on how to implement the plan, including which troops would be involved, their capabilities, and possible deployment locations. He declined to specify which American units might be deployed or where, but confirmed that Warsaw is discussing several implementation options with the Pentagon.

He added that details of any permanent troop deployment remain subject to negotiation and are being discussed as part of a broader review by Washington of its military posture in Europe. Zalewski said Warsaw expects greater clarity once that review is completed.

Background

In early June, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said he had submitted a formal proposal to the head of the Pentagon for a new permanent US military base in Poland. In mid-September, US President Donald Trump said "significant progress" had been made toward establishing such a base. Poland's President Karol Nawrocki has previously said the matter of a US base has been "decided" and that the facility would be named "Fort Trump".