The talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations, joint defense projects, and ongoing deterrence efforts along NATO’s eastern flank.
Poland’s Ministry of National Defense emphasized that Poland is a close U.S. ally, working together within NATO and on bilateral initiatives, including the procurement of advanced American weaponry.
As the Polish Ministry of National Defense (MON) emphasized, Poland is among the first countries visited by the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
It is also one of the few NATO members already planning defense, modernization, and military transformation spending at a level close to 5% of GDP, currently at 4.7%. The 2025 budget allocates a record 124.3 billion PLN (€29.86 billion) for national defense.
Compared to 2024, this represents an increase of 6.2 billion PLN (€1.49 billion). Including the expenditures of the Armed Forces Support Fund, total defense spending in 2025 will reach 186.6 billion PLN (€44.82 billion).
The U.S. Department of Defense stated that Hegseth’s meetings in Poland aim to reinforce bilateral cooperation, enhance NATO’s eastern defenses, and recognize Poland’s leadership as a model ally in defense investments and burden-sharing within the Alliance.
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (left) and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (second from left) during a meeting at the Ministry of National Defense headquarters in Warsaw. February 14, 2025. Photo: PAP/Marcin Obara
After meeting with Polish defense officials, Hegseth is scheduled to meet with President Andrzej Duda around noon.
Earlier in the day, he joined U.S. troops stationed in Poland for a morning run.
His wife, Jennifer Rauchet, accompanied him on the visit, which also includes a planned stop at the 33rd Air Transport Base in Powidz, central-western Poland.
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (second from left) with his wife Paulina Kosiniak-Kamysz (left) and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (second from right) with his wife Jennifer Rauchet (right) during a meeting at the Ministry of National Defense headquarters in Warsaw. February 14, 2025 (photo: PAP/Marcin Obara)
Source: IAR/PAP/X/@MON_GOV_PL/@kristina_wong/@SecDef
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