5,000 US Soldiers for Poland. Norwegian Experts Don't Trust Trump
The announcement of sending an additional 5,000 US soldiers to Poland does not reassure European experts. According to commentators in Norway, the problem is not the number of troops, but the unpredictability of Washington's decisions.
Norwegian experts are critical, among other things, of Donald Trump's constant changes of decisions.
Fot. Gage Skidmore, flickr.com (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The issue is described by the Norwegian daily VG. The topic also came up during the European Security Week conference in Oslo. Participants point out that trust in the US as a guarantor of security in Europe has weakened.
Norwegian Analysts: Trump's Decision Does Not Reassure Europe
Anders Giaever from VG reminds that Donald Trump's announcement came after earlier signals of reducing the US presence in Europe. Media reported on the suspension of the planned rotation of 4,000 American soldiers to Poland. Washington also announced the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany. In this context, the new declaration was seen as yet another reversal.
According to Giaever, Poland was surprised by Trump's decision. The US administration reportedly did not consult Warsaw beforehand. The commentator assessed that this reveals a broader problem in transatlantic relations: the lack of certainty whether the US would act reliably in a crisis.
According to Giaever, Poland was surprised by Trump's decision. The US administration reportedly did not consult Warsaw beforehand. The commentator assessed that this reveals a broader problem in transatlantic relations: the lack of certainty whether the US would act reliably in a crisis.
Experts are not critical of Trump's decision itself, but of the accompanying uncertainty and confusion.DHS photo by Tia Dufour
Poland to Get More US Troops. Experts Point to a Broader Issue
Participants of the European Security Week conference assessed that Europe's relationship with the US has changed in character. In their opinion, it has become more transactional. Martin Chovanczik from Masaryk University in Brno pointed out that Poland and countries in the region still want an American presence. At the same time, the US is no longer seen as an ally that can be unconditionally relied upon.
Nick Marsh from PRIO drew attention to Poland's purchases of US weaponry, including F-35s, HIMARS, Apache helicopters, and Abrams tanks. He emphasized that such equipment means long-term dependence on the supplier. He interprets Poland's participation in the EU SAFE program as building a second, European pillar of security.
Nick Marsh from PRIO drew attention to Poland's purchases of US weaponry, including F-35s, HIMARS, Apache helicopters, and Abrams tanks. He emphasized that such equipment means long-term dependence on the supplier. He interprets Poland's participation in the EU SAFE program as building a second, European pillar of security.
After Trump's announcement, details are to be determined in talks between the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Polish Army with the commander of US forces in Europe, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said that the decision must be translated into a planning process. He stressed that the Pentagon needs time to redeploy forces in Europe. According to him, Poland stands to benefit from this redeployment.
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