Washington, Sep 3 (AP) Poland's newly inaugurated president, Karol Nawrocki, is scheduled to visit the White House on Wednesday. His visit aims to solidify ties with President Donald Trump and to advocate for the continued strong military presence of the United States in Poland.
This marks Nawrocki's first international trip since assuming office last month. President Trump's visible involvement in Poland's recent elections, including his endorsement of Nawrocki, the nationalist Law and Justice party candidate, underscores the significance of these diplomatic exchanges between two longstanding allies.
As a former amateur boxer and historian, Nawrocki seeks to build upon his relationship with Trump during a critical period for Warsaw. President Trump faces mounting challenges in orchestrating direct negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between Poland's neighboring countries.
Although Trump previously expressed optimism following meetings with Putin in Alaska and with Zelenskyy and key European leaders at the White House, his hope of arranging immediate talks has diminished. Putin has yet to show willingness to meet Zelenskyy, stalling efforts for a peaceful resolution.
"Maybe they have to fight a little longer," Trump remarked in a recent interview with the conservative Daily Caller. "You know, just keep fighting — stupidly, keep fighting."
Amid this geopolitical backdrop, concerns persist in Poland and broader Europe regarding Trump's long-term commitment to maintaining a substantial U.S. military presence on the continent, viewed as a crucial deterrent to Russian aggression. Some key advisors in Trump's administration have advocated reallocating U.S. troops toward the Indo-Pacific in response to China's increasing strategic and economic challenge. Poland currently hosts approximately 10,000 American troops on a rotational basis.
"The stakes are very high for President Nawrocki's visit," stated Peter Doran, an analyst at the Foundation for the Defence of Democracies. "Trump will have an opportunity to assess Poland's new leader, and Nawrocki will likewise have the chance to gauge Trump. A failed meeting could result in a reduced American military presence in Poland, whereas success would signify a strong endorsement of Poland as a vital ally on the front lines."
Trump signaled support for Nawrocki during the Polish elections earlier this year, suggesting that electing Nawrocki could lead to deeper military collaboration. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Poland before the May elections, assuring voters that Nawrocki's election would ensure a strong alliance with Trump to help fend off adversaries opposing Polish values.
Ultimately, Polish voters chose Nawrocki in a closely contested race against liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski. Nawrocki has echoed some of Trump's stance on Ukraine, pledging continued support while criticizing President Zelenskyy and accusing Ukrainian refugees of exploiting Poland's generosity. He has promised to prioritize Polish citizens for social services, including healthcare and education.
Nawrocki's message to Trump is expected to emphasize the threat posed by Putin's actions and the importance of the U.S. presence in Poland as a deterrent. Russia and its ally Belarus plan to conduct joint military exercises this month in Belarus, causing alarm in Poland and neighboring NATO members Latvia and Lithuania.
"Nawrocki aims to convey to President Trump the dangers of Putin's revisionism, stressing that it might not stop with Ukraine," commented Heather Conley, a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, specializing in transatlantic security and geopolitics. (AP) GSP
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