During the meeting at the presidential palace, Duda highlighted the security improvements made during Donald Trump’s first term as US president, pointing to the acquisition of F-35 fighter jets and the establishment of the US Army’s V Corps headquarters in Poland.
He reiterated his belief that an even more significant American military presence, informally referred to as "Fort Trump," could become a reality.
“Back then, I smiled when I talked about Fort Trump,” Duda said. “But today, after this conversation, I can say with confidence that I deeply believe it will actually be built in Poland.”
Duda endorsed the US proposal to increase NATO defense spending.
Trump has suggested that NATO members should allocate 5 percent of their gross domestic product to defense, while NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has indicated that a new target of around 3 percent is more likely.
The Polish president noted that he had already advocated for a 3-percent spending threshold last year but that his proposal was not widely adopted at the time.
Given Russia’s growing military assertiveness, Duda said he hoped other NATO countries would now support such an increase.
"Considering what is happening in Europe today, with the resurgence of Russian imperial ambitions, I believe no one will doubt that we must implement this policy of increasing defense spending," Duda stated.
"I assured the secretary of defense that, as Supreme Commander of the Polish Armed Forces, I support President Trump’s proposals on this issue," he added.
Regarding US diplomacy on Ukraine, Duda said he remained calm about Trump's recent moves.
The US president spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday and later held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about initiating peace negotiations.
The Polish leader urged observers to focus on Trump’s direct statements rather than media commentary on his remarks.
"The goal is to achieve peace using different instruments," Duda said. "Please listen carefully to what President Trump himself says."
He added that the United States could employ not only military pressure but also various non-military means to influence the situation.
Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine to visit Poland
In the coming days, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, General Keith Kellogg, is expected to visit Poland to discuss the ongoing diplomatic efforts, Duda revealed.
Hegseth’s trip to Poland was part of a broader European tour that includes participation in the Ramstein meetings—a coalition coordinating military aid for Ukraine—and the Munich Security Conference.
However, his engagements in Warsaw were strictly bilateral, underlining Poland’s growing importance in US security strategy.
The defense secretary was accompanied by his wife, Jennifer Hegseth, who met separately with Poland’s First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda.
Several top Polish officials, including Duda's chief of staff, Marcin Mastalerek, National Security Bureau (BBN) head Dariusz Łukowski, and presidential ministers Wojciech Kolarski and Nikodem Rachoń, also participated in the discussions.
Earlier in the day, Hegseth held bilateral talks with Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. After the meeting, he praised Poland for being a "model ally" in Europe.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, prezydent.pl