The United States is taking 'logistical' decisions regarding the presence of its troops in Europe that will not affect the bloc's ability to repel any threats, the Polish prime minister said on Friday (May 15). "I received assurances, and this is also important to me, that these decisions are of a logistical nature and will not directly affect deterrence capabilities and our security," Donald Tusk told a news conference. Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz also said that there were no decisions limiting American forces in Poland. "The decisions you are observing stem from President Trump's decision. He clearly indicated a reduction in the contingent by 5,000 in the Federal Republic of Germany," Kosiniak-Kamysz said. The Pentagon has cancelled plans to temporarily deploy 4,000 U.S.-based troops to Poland, two U.S. officials said, a surprise decision that renews questions about President Donald Trump's expected troop cuts in Europe. A Pentagon spokesperson declined comment, while a lawmaker said the decision had not yet been notified to Congress. No formal announcement has been made. The decision, first reported by Army Times, came just two weeks after the Pentagon announced it was withdrawing 5,000 troops from NATO ally Germany, in part due to a widening rift over the Iran war between Trump and Europe. One U.S. official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, suggested the Poland decision was part of a near-term solution to ultimately allow for the previously announced drawdown in Germany, which hosts 35,000 U.S. forces. The U.S. has been reviewing its troop presence in Europe and has long been expected to scale it back, following demands from Trump that NATO take a larger role in the defense of Europe.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: POLISH PRIME MINISTER DONALD TUSK AND POLISH DEFENCE MINISTER WLADYSLAW KOSINIAK-KAMYSZ SPEAKING ON U.S. TROOPS STATIONED IN POLAND/ RECENT FOOTAGE OF NATO FORCES TRAINING IN POLAND

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: EDIT 9588-UKRAINE-CRISIS/NATO-DRILLS-DRONE-AI INCLUDES RECENT FOOTAGE OF NATO FORCES TESTING NEW BATTLEFIELD CASUALTY EVACUATION METHODS USING DRONES WITH AI CAPABILITY DURING SIMULATION IN POLAND

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

OTWOCK, POLAND (MAY 15, 2026) (POLISH GOVERNMENT'S OFFICE - Access all)

1. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Polish) POLISH PRIME MINISTER, DONALD TUSK, SAYING:

“I received assurances, and this is also important to me, that these decisions are of a logistical nature and will not affect deterrence capabilities and our security, when it comes to Polish-American cooperation. Poland has been, is, and will continue to be the most stable, loyal, and effective ally of both the United States and other NATO countries. I am convinced that we will be able to count on reciprocity in this matter today and in the future.”

3. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

WARSAW, POLAND (MAY 15, 2026) (REUTERS-Access all)

4. POLISH DEFENCE MINISTER, WLADYSLAW KOSINIAK-KAMYSZ ARRIVING

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Polish) POLISH DEFENCE MINISTER, WLADYSLAW KOSINIAK-KAMYSZ, SAYING:

“There are no decisions limiting the presence of American forces and assets in Poland. Poland has both permanent and rotational presence of American troops on its territory.”

6. KOSINIAK-KAMYSZ SPEAKING

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Polish) POLISH DEFENCE MINISTER, WLADYSLAW KOSINIAK-KAMYSZ, SAYING:

“The decisions you are observing stem from President Trump's decision. He clearly indicated a reduction in the contingent by 5,000 in the Federal Republic of Germany. And to implement this, the Pentagon is taking various actions. Sometimes one brigade may be held back to be replaced. They do not involve reducing the presence in Poland, but in other European partners.”

8. KOSINIAK-KAMYSZ ON STAGE

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Polish) POLISH DEFENCE MINISTER, WLADYSLAW KOSINIAK-KAMYSZ, SAYING:

“I think we're strong enough in our alliance to trust each other. If the President of the United States says this won't affect Poland, why shouldn't I believe him? And we're not letting ourselves be disappointed by any excessive emotions, nor are we getting carried away by euphoria. We're just following the security vector, and it's directed through the Atlantic.”

BEMOWO PISKIE, POLAND (MAY 11, 2026) (REUTERS-Access all)

10. VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS AND MEDEVAC VEHICLE DURING TRAINING

11. MEDEVAC VEHICLES PARKED

12. RIFFLE ON GROUND

13. VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS TRAINING SIMULATED CASUALTY TRAUMA CARE

14. VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS LISTENING

15. VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS CARRYING SIMULATED CASUALTY INTO A MEDEVAC VEHICLE

16. MEDEVAC VEHICLE