Appearing before the US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, Brzezinski said he would "commit to continue and strengthen" the United States' security cooperation "with our stalwart ally Poland, where the enduring rotational presence of some 4,500 US troops defends NATO’s eastern flank."
He added: "I will deepen and broaden the partnership between Poland and the United States to spearhead economic growth in the region, including through the Three Seas Initiative," a Polish-led regional drive by European countries between the Black, Baltic and Adriatic Seas.
Brzezinski also pledged that, if confirmed, he would "work with Poland to support the government and people of a peaceful and whole Ukraine, as well as the aspirations of the Belarusian people for a democratic Belarus."
He told the committee he would "partner with Poland to promote investment in clean energy, including renewable energy, hydrogen-based energy, and help to bring zero-emission nuclear energy to Poland."
He also said during the hearing that, if confirmed, he would "continue to promote our shared commitments to uphold fundamental freedoms and the rule of law as essential to democracy and central to the US-Polish relationship."
He added he would in particular "continue to underscore to Polish authorities the importance of an impartial judiciary, independent media, and respect for the human rights of all, including LGBTQI+ persons and members of other minorities."
The United States and Poland have a "historic friendship, but we must also agree to share responsibilities for humanity’s future and the democratic principles of the West," Brzezinski said.
Wednesday's hearing took place after US President Joe Biden in the summer nominated Brzezinski to serve as his ambassador to Poland.
Brzezinski previously served in the administration of Barack Obama and was US ambassador to Sweden from 2011 to 2015.
From 1999 to 2001, he served on President Bill Clinton’s National Security Council, first as a director for Russia and Eurasia, and then as a director for the Balkans, according to a statement issued by the White House in early August.
Brzezinski, who speaks Polish and French, was a Fulbright scholar in Poland and is the author of The Struggle for Constitutionalism in Poland, the White House said at the time.
"Brzezinski received a BA from Dartmouth College, a JD from the University of Virginia, and a PhD in Political Science from Oxford University," the White House statement added.
He was awarded the Royal Order of the Polar Star by the King of Sweden and is a recipient of the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, according to the White House.
Mark Brzezinski is the son of the late Polish-born Zbigniew Brzezinski, who served as US national security adviser under President Jimmy Carter and was a holder of the Order of White Eagle, Poland’s highest state honour.
Former US national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski, pictured in 2016. Photo: Terje Bendiksby/NTB via PAP
The previous US ambassador to Poland, Georgette Mosbacher, ended her mission after Biden’s election victory over Donald Trump.
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Source: IAR, foreign.senate.gov
Click on the audio player above for a report by Radio Poland's Michał Owczarek.