Speaking after a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth had "responded positively" to a Polish offer to host permanently stationed US forces.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said the Pentagon views Poland as a model ally because of its high defence spending and contributions to NATO.
"The US Department of War is open to Poland's proposal for the permanent stationing of US forces on its territory, although the final decision will depend on the details of such an agreement," Kosiniak-Kamysz said.
He added that Poland and the United States had agreed to conduct a detailed analysis of the proposal and that he had been authorised by Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government to coordinate talks with Washington.
'The strongest deterrent'
"This is a matter of strategic national interest," Kosiniak-Kamysz said. "Successive governments have sought a permanent US military presence in Poland for many years."
He said discussions on possible locations were at an early stage and added that "any site in Poland would be suitable" from Warsaw's perspective. US military officials will assess potential locations before negotiations move to a formal agreement, he added.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland was prepared to "make the necessary investments" and provide land for a permanent American base, describing the project as a multibillion-dollar, long-term undertaking that would require cooperation among the government, parliament and the presidency.
He called a permanent US military presence "the strongest deterrent" available to Poland and said it should be viewed as an investment in national security rather than an expense.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said Hegseth praised Poland during NATO discussions as a model ally because it spends around 5 percent of its gross domestic product on defence, supports NATO's evolving defence plans and plays a key role in protecting the alliance's eastern flank.
'We seem to be on a very good path': PM
Prime Minister Donald Tusk welcomed the Pentagon's response, saying he had not expected such a quick and positive reaction from Washington.
"I am an optimist, but I did not expect such a rapid and positive response to our proposal," Tusk told reporters in Brussels, where he was attending a meeting of European Union leaders.
He cautioned that no final decision had been made and that further negotiations would be required.
"But we seem to be on a very good path toward obtaining a decision on a permanent American base, which would fundamentally strengthen our sense of security," Tusk said.
The comments came after US President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy an additional 5,000 American troops to Poland, describing the move as a sign of strong bilateral ties.
About 10,000 US troops are currently stationed in Poland, though most serve on a rotational basis.
Poland has long sought to increase the number of US troops stationed permanently in the country rather than on temporary rotations, arguing that a lasting American military presence would strengthen deterrence against potential threats from Russia and reinforce NATO's eastern defences.
(gs)
Source: IAR, PAP