What we would like US President Donald Trump to declare in Warsaw is that US troops will be staying in Poland for as long as there is any danger in the region, said Witold Waszczykowski, Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs.
When asked about Poland’s expectations as regards the public address by the US President in Krasiński Square in Warsaw, Witold Waszczykowski said that he expected Mr. Trump to touch upon such themes as security and related Polish-American cooperation, as well as to refer to Russia’s activity, to identify the outlook for US military presence in the region and to address the role of NATO. He noted that a welcome declaration by President Trump would be a commitment to maintaining US military presence in the region for as long as regional security is under threat.
Among other expectations for the American leader’s visit, the Minister of Foreign Affairs also mentioned talks about closer cooperation in the military industry, and US participation in Polish military modernization programs, which would lead, for example, to the signing of favorable arms contracts. He also pointed out that in certain cases, e.g. as regards anti-missile defense systems, US equipment was second to none.
Another possible topic to address during talks with the American delegation could be President Duda’s visit to Washington, which – according to the Minister – could be held in January 2018.
One of the expected themes of Polish-American talks in Warsaw will be the Zapad-17 Russian-Belarussian military exercise scheduled to be held in September near the border between Belarus and Ukraine. According to Waszczykowski, “due to its scale and probable scenario, it will call for a reaction from NATO and the United States”.
The Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs was also asked about the Americans’ expectations towards Poland, including possible enhanced involvement in the anti-terrorism coalition. He said that possible participation of Polish troops in UN peace-keeping missions would be involved, along with beefed up patrol and recon missions led by Polish aircraft in the coalition against Daesh. When asked about the possible participation of Polish troops in strictly combat missions, he said: “We might consider it if we were asked for such involvement”.
Źródło: tvn24.pl/tłumaczenie Intertext.com.pl
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: U.S. Army