What about the American presence on the eastern flank? BBN head about the details of the conversation with Mik Waltz

– The Americans said directly that their presence in Eastern Europe is not subject to any discussion, and they will not succumb to any pressure of the Russians in this area – said General Dariusz Łukowski, the head of the National Security Bureau after talking to the adviser of President Donald Trump for security Mik Waltz.

BBN head He talked to his American counterpart on Thursday. After the conversation, the National Security Bureau issued a message in which, among others, that during the conversation Waltz confirmed “continuity and credibility of American security guarantees within NATO.”

On Friday, General Dariusz Łukowski pointed out that Waltz's declaration coincided with the declaration of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who at the meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels on Thursday He assured that “fears before the US left NATO are unjustified”and the US wants a “stronger alliance”.

– You can see that there is a uniform transmission of US administration, including its most important representatives – advisers for national security and secretary of state – noted General Łukowski. As he said, there is currently a review in the USA regarding the presence of American troops in various parts of the world, which is to be coming to an end. As the head of the National Security Bureau informed, the Americans said that soon “we can expect” a decision on this matter.

“The Americans said directly that their presence in Eastern Europe is not subject to any discussion”

General Łukowski said that he asked Waltz, among others, whether the US during ongoing negotiations with Russia could discuss the issue of the future presence of their troops in the Natural Central Europe, including in Poland, Romania or the Baltic countries.

– The Americans said directly that their presence in Eastern Europe, our region, is absolutely not subject to any discussion, and they will not succumb to any pressure of Russians in this area – he said. – I was told explicitly that the US would certainly not allow the Russians to dictate how the allied presence in those countries that entered NATO after 1997 should look like, when the act of NATO -Russia was concluded – said Łukowski.

As he said, the rhetoric and administration policy of Donald Trump towards Europe is primarily associated with the waiting of the US, so that European NATO members take more responsibility for their defense. – United States They emphasize that it cannot be that the disturbance of this balance between Europe and the United States as part of a joint alliance is so disproportionate. Fortunately, there is already a positive reaction of Europe – the general said.

Nevertheless – as he emphasized – the reconstruction of European abilities to defend is a process that will last at least several years. – With 2-3 years you have to wait for a clear change in the whole area. Until then, unfortunately, but Americans must support all Europe's activities with unflagging intensity – said the head of the BBN.

BBN head with the consequences of American duties

Łukowski – as he reported – assured in an interview with Waltz that the Polish side is seeking that “as part of these new European programs do not harm our industrial and defense cooperation with the United States.”

In this context, he pointed to the US administration imposed this week in the amount of 20 percent. to the European Union. Gen. Łukowski reminded that EU institutions have not yet decided how to react to the imposition of duties, but he noticed that such European-American clashes and Retors from the Union may negatively reflect on reinforcement contracts with the United States.

– This may cause that the contracts we signed will be charged with additional customs rates. We can count that if we have contracts with the USA – let's assume – $ 50 billion, if they were charged with additional duties in the amount of, for example, 10 percent, it would be $ 5 billion more to pay for us. What if it were a duty of 20 percent? These are amounts very important for the Polish defense budget – emphasized the head of the BBN.

As he said, such movements could “eliminate” some of the largest contracts that Poland has concluded with the USA. – This is simply the money that we will not find so easily. Our needs are more than the means we have – he added.

– We have to increase our defense skills in a short time, so we have to spend the money we have to maximize the effects in a short time. Therefore, this type of steps can be a blow to us, weaken our effectiveness. I noticed this issue in a conversation with Waltz that this may have a negative impact on us – said General Łukowski.

– Maybe this is a pressure mechanism that will make the pages sit at the table and look for another solution that will be less drastic than what is on the table today – said the head of the BBN. He added that in an interview with Waltz he also pointed out that we have many other interests from the USA. – We want to be associated with the United States not only in the military area, but also, for example, energy – emphasized General Łukowski.

– I asked that they would also look at, for example, whether they should not be approached selectively, for example, to disable some areas from the discussion about the customs war. This has been recorded; However, it is too early to react – said the general. “I think that only now these analyzes will be conducted,” he added.

Military infrastructure for Americans in Poland

Among other topics of conversations with an American security advisor, the head of the BBN mentioned, among others The issue of Warsaw's readiness to invest in military infrastructure in Poland, which could be used by American troops. He explained that these issues are regulated by a contract concluded between Poland and the US from 2020, under which Poland provides logistics security and, for example, builds bases for Americans in its area.

This type of beneficial for the American side of the US agreement was concluded, among others in South Korea or Japan, but not with Western European countries, especially Germanywhere the largest American contingent in Europe is stationed.

This causes – explained General Łukowski – that in a situation in which the American side recognizes that the presence of their troops in Germany or other Western European countries is too expensive, they will be able to be transferred to Poland for savings. – President Andrzej Duda He often said it directly: we invite you to Poland, we count on an increase in the presence of American troops in Poland, and we can create good conditions for it – he reminded.

As he said, on the table there is, among others The construction of a large base if necessary, which could play the role as the Ramstein base located in the west of Germany, crucial for the military presence of Americans in Europe.

At the same time, Gen. Łukowski assured that the agreement obliging Poland to invest in infrastructure for Americans and to provide them with logistics facilities is also beneficial for the Polish side. He explained that the costs that Poland must pay under the contract are so much lower than the creation of units with such combat potential that Americans are located in Poland.

– This is such a supplementary solution to our armed forces, which has its own political and practical aspect. (…) And here clearly – not the first time – Americans let us know that they understand this and know that, for example, the reduction of presence in Germany would be much more favorable than in Poland – he added.