Poland is aiming to host up to 15,000 American soldiers on its territory, according to Stanislaw Wziatek, Poland’s deputy defense minister, who made the announcement on Monday, September 21. This force would include approximately 10,000 soldiers on a rotational basis—meaning they would serve for a set period before returning home—and 3,500 to 5,000 soldiers stationed permanently. Currently, Poland hosts between 6,500 and 7,000 American troops on a rotational basis, according to Wziatek. The plan is part of a broader strategy to strengthen NATO’s military presence in Eastern Europe, particularly in response to concerns about Russia’s influence in the region. The proposed expansion comes as the U.S. government, under President Donald Trump, reviews its military presence in Europe. Trump praised “major progress” toward establishing a permanent American military base in Poland, highlighting the significance of the planned increase in troop numbers. According to Wziatek, the buildup of forces would occur in stages and be completed by 2039. This timeline suggests a long-term commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Poland military partnership and reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank. Poland has been increasingly vocal about security threats from Russia in recent years. A week before Wziatek’s announcement, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned of “hybrid” threats from Russia, which include unconventional tactics such as “accidental” drone and missile strikes that could target allies of Ukraine. These threats are part of a broader concern about Russia’s military activities in the region, which have escalated since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Poland has also accused Russia of “sabotage” on multiple occasions since the start of the war in Ukraine. These allegations include incidents involving infrastructure damage, cyberattacks, and other actions that could undermine Poland’s security or that of its allies. The planned expansion of the U.S. military presence in Poland is seen as a response to these perceived threats and an effort to bolster regional defense capabilities.