The two officials discussed security cooperation, NATO commitments and the importance of defense spending.
Hegseth emphasized Poland’s strategic role on NATO’s eastern flank and praised its commitment to military investments.
"Poland is a proven ally, not just in words but in actions," he said at a joint news conference with Kosiniak-Kamysz.
"It understands the importance of hard power—diplomacy and negotiations matter, but in the end, tanks, bullets and helicopters are what count. Poland gets that, and so do we," he added, as cited by Polish state news agency PAP.
Kosiniak-Kamysz declared that the Polish-American alliance is stronger than ever but stressed that Europe must do more to bolster its defense industry.
"Security, peace and freedom require strength," Kosiniak-Kamysz said, pointing out that Poland spends nearly 5 percent of its gross domestic product on defense.
He urged European countries to increase their military spending and industrial capacity.
"Europe must wake up and invest in the defense sector," he said.
Kosiniak-Kamysz and Hegseth also addressed ongoing US support for Poland’s military modernization.
The Polish defense minister confirmed that funding for Poland through the US Foreign Military Financing program remains unaffected by broader American budget reviews.
This program has already provided Poland with a USD 4 billion loan guarantee for military purchases, including Apache helicopters.
Kosiniak-Kamysz indicated that Poland intends to continue acquiring US military equipment and developing partnerships between defense firms to expand ammunition and weapons production in Europe.
Hegseth reiterated that the United States remains fully committed to NATO but stressed that European allies must take greater responsibility for their own security.
"Our message to our European allies is clear: now is the time to invest because America will not always be here in the same way," he warned, citing global security challenges, including threats from China.
Addressing US troop presence in Eastern Europe, Hegseth said that Washington remains engaged in NATO’s defense mission but added that future deployments will depend on evolving security needs and European nations' defense capabilities.
"The number of US forces in Europe is important, but looking ahead, it will depend on threat levels and America's commitments elsewhere," he said.
He also made it clear that increasing NATO members' defense budgets is not a suggestion but a firm expectation.
"We will ensure that commitments to collective defense reflect genuine intent to protect our own backyards."
Hegseth also touched on the war in Ukraine, reiterating comments he made earlier in the week at a NATO meeting in Brussels.
He described the idea of Ukraine reclaiming its 2014 borders, direct US military involvement in the conflict, and Ukraine’s near-term NATO membership as "highly unrealistic."
However, he stated that his role is to bring "a degree of realism" to discussions and announced that any potential peace talks will be shaped by leaders in Washington, Kyiv and Moscow.
Kosiniak-Kamysz reaffirmed Poland’s unwavering support for Ukraine, emphasizing its role as a logistical hub for military and humanitarian aid.
"Ninety-five percent of assistance to Ukraine passes through Poland," he said. "We secure it, we protect it, and that is Poland’s role—ensuring logistical support, not sending troops," he said.
He also warned that Europe must remain vigilant against future threats: "There will always be another dictator like Putin who threatens our security; we must remain active and ready."
Following the press conference, Hegseth met with Polish President Andrzej Duda at the presidential palace in Warsaw.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP