Duda and Trump to discuss nuclear energy and troops relocation

U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda in Washington next week, the first visit by a foreign leader to the White House since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duda, an ally of Poland's ruling nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, has been leading in opinion polls, although some recent surveys have shown he may not win the second round of the vote. The first round has been scheduled for June 28.

"The visit comes at a critical time for both the United States and Poland, as we reopen our countries after months of battling the coronavirus pandemic," the White House said in a statement on Wednesday.

On Thursday, president Duda said at a press conference that he will discuss a number of issues with Donald Trump, one of them being the relocation of U.S. troops to Poland. "We will certainly discuss cooperation between Polish and American businesses and governments, regarding the conventional nuclear energy and its use," Andrzej Duda said.

Trump said on Monday the United States will reduce its troop presence in Germany by 9,500 to 25,000. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has said he hopes some of the U.S. troops will be moved to Poland. Trump and Duda "will discuss further advancing our cooperation on defense, as well as trade, energy, and telecommunications security," the White House said.

President Duda added on Thursday: "I think I can proudly say that we are one of the most serious partners to the United States, certainly in the European Union".

Last June, Trump agreed to send 1,000 more troops to Poland. Reuters reported last week that the project was crumbling amid disputes over funding and where to garrison the troops. The report was denied by some members of Poland's government and by U.S. Ambassador to Poland Georgette Mosbacher.