Poland ready for permanent presence of allied troops: defence minister

Poland is ready to host permanent deployments of allied troops, including French and British forces, Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Tuesday, amid efforts by NATO eastern-flank countries to deter Russia.

Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

Photo: PAP/Piotr Nowak

Kosiniak-Kamysz, who also serves as a deputy prime minister, said Poland was prepared to expand its role as a host nation for allied forces as part of efforts to strengthen NATO's eastern flank against any threat posed by Russia.

He was speaking after Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that multinational military exercises involving mainly French and British troops would be held in Poland this autumn.

The exercises, announced after a meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing in Paris on Tuesday, are intended to prepare the force to provide security guarantees for Ukraine and the wider region, Tusk said.

⚡️Poland to host joint Coalition of the Willing drills this fall.

"These drills will prepare the entire coalition gathered here today in Paris to provide genuine security guarantees for Ukraine, but also for the broader region," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.…

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) July 14, 2026

The prime minister also said that Poland would prepare the logistics and financial conditions for the permanent deployment of not only US troops but also other allied forces.

Speaking to reporters in Warsaw after a meeting of the government's National Security Committee, Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland was in constant contact with NATO partners and already hosted troops from several allied countries.

"We already have an allied military presence, including British, Croatian, Romanian, American and Norwegian forces," he said.

"We are ready for the permanent presence of allied troops, for example French or British forces," he added.

Kosiniak-Kamysz said such deployments reflected NATO's broader strategy of reinforcing its eastern flank.

He added that Poland's growing role in regional defence was supported by its security agreements with allies, including the United States, France and Britain.

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Source: IAR, PAP