The United States on Tuesday inaugurated its first permanent army base in Poland, which the ambassador to Warsaw said was a sign of NATO unity in the face of Russian aggression.
More than 10,000 US soldiers are currently stationed in Poland, which has become a major transit country for international aid and equipment to neighboring Ukraine.
A US garrison – the eighth in Europe – was established in the western city of Poznan.
“This is historic. And it’s a sign that we’re here to stay,” said Mark Brzezinski, the US ambassador, at the inauguration ceremony.
“It signals to the world that the United States is committed to Poland, and the NATO alliance. That we are united in the face of Russian aggression,” he said.
The garrison was established after US President Joe Biden announced last year a permanent US presence in Poland.
Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said, “we very much appreciate the permanent US presence in Poland, especially in Europe now when Russia is invading Ukraine and trying to rebuild its empire.”
“US army forces in NATO’s eastern flank will be commanded from Poland,” he added at the ceremony, calling the garrison “important for the security of Poland but also for the security of NATO”.