Since Poland joined NATO in 1999, its leaders have sought closer security ties with the United States military.
Poland is ready to pony up as much as $2 billion for the deployment of a permanent US military base in the country, according to the country's defense ministry.
Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaschak outlined the prospect during a visit to Washington.
According to him, negotiations are underway on possible supplies of US arms to Poland. Expansion of military cooperation will also be discussed when the Polish and US presidents, Andrzej Duda and Donald Trump, meet in Washington on Tuesday.
Experts note that in its desire to get the status of “America's main ally in Europe,” Warsaw is ready to give up its military sovereignty and even finance the creation of a US base, despite the serious economic problems the country is now grappling with.
During a meeting on Friday with congressmen, including the chairman the House Armed Services Committee, William Thornberry, Blaschak said that the US military presence on NATO's eastern flank contributes to the strengthening of security not only of Poland, but the region as a whole.
“We are pleased that representatives of the Congress and the US administration expressed support for the strengthening of US presence in Poland, although this process requires a lot of coordination,” he noted.
He mentioned “a real possibility” of a US military base appearing in Poland on a permanent…
