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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a stark warning to European allies, making it clear that the American military presence on the continent is not guaranteed indefinitely.
Speaking in Warsaw on Friday alongside Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Hegseth stressed the need for European nations to take greater responsibility for their own defense, signaling a potential shift in the decades-old security structure that has defined transatlantic relations.
“The American troop levels on the continent are important,” Hegseth said.
“What happens five, 10, 15 years from now is part of a larger discussion that reflects the threat level, America’s posture, our needs around the globe, but most importantly the capability of European countries to step up.”
The defense chief's remarks reinforced a message that had already begun to emerge during his recent appearance at NATO’s Brussels headquarters, marking his first major European engagement.
During the two-day NATO summit, he hinted that Europe must eventually take on the bulk of conventional deterrence efforts against Russia, as the U.S. reevaluates its global military commitments.
The Trump administration is currently conducting a broad review of U.S. troop deployments worldwide, including those in Europe, though no final decisions have been made regarding force adjustments.
However, Hegseth’s comments underscored a growing expectation that European nations should prepare for a future where they may not be able to rely on a permanent American military presence.
“That’s why our message is so stark to our European allies—now is the time to invest because you can’t make an assumption that America’s presence will last forever,” Hegseth added.
His choice of Poland for his first bilateral defense meeting was no coincidence. Poland has long been one of America’s closest European allies and is a firm believer in U.S. military presence as a safeguard against Russian aggression.
Having spent centuries under Russian domination, Poland views NATO’s eastern flank as a frontline in securing European stability.
Warsaw has emerged as NATO’s top spender in terms of economic output, allocating 4.7 percent of its GDP to defense this year—making it the closest ally to meeting President Donald Trump’s call for NATO members to dedicate at least 5 percent of GDP to military spending.
“Poland is a country that understands threats. It sees them, it feels them because of its own history, where these threats often resulted in war on our territory,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said. “Freedom needs strength; peace needs strength. There is no such strength without spending.”
Poland has backed up its commitment with large-scale arms purchases from the U.S., including M1 Abrams tanks, F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, and the cutting-edge F-35 Lightning II fighters.
Years of diplomatic pressure have also paid off, with Warsaw securing a permanent deployment of 8,000 U.S. troops, marking a significant presence on NATO’s eastern front.
Hegseth praised Poland’s dedication, calling it a “model ally.”
“The level of partnership is unmatched in Europe, the common bond is unlike others in Europe,” he said, noting Poland’s extensive investments in infrastructure to support American forces stationed in the country.
Though he stopped short of making an official policy announcement, Hegseth acknowledged Poland’s growing role in the alliance, suggesting that if it were up to him, the number of U.S. troops in Poland might even increase.
“The invitation we receive here, if anything, would make me want to have more troops in Poland—that’s not a policy statement, that’s just how I feel,” he told reporters.
Beyond troop presence, Poland and the U.S. are deepening their defense cooperation. The two nations have agreed to establish joint ventures aimed at increasing ammunition and weapons production, a move designed to strengthen NATO’s ability to sustain long-term operations along its eastern border.
Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that Poland wants to become a “service hub for American equipment used on NATO’s eastern border,” signaling a broader commitment to logistical and operational support for allied forces.
Highlighting the special relationship between Warsaw and Washington, Kosiniak-Kamysz announced that the Polish military would be exempt from the Trump administration’s recent freeze on the U.S. State Department’s Foreign Military Financing program.
This exemption allows Poland to continue purchasing advanced American weaponry, further solidifying its role as a key player in NATO’s defensive posture.
Hegseth’s visit and remarks represent a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy under Trump’s leadership. While past administrations have largely viewed America’s military footprint in Europe as essential to global stability, the current administration is pushing allies to take on a larger share of the burden.
For European nations, particularly those in Eastern Europe, the warning from Washington is clear: reliance on U.S. military support should not be taken for granted. The expectation is that Europe must boost its own defense capabilities to ensure its long-term security.
Poland’s actions reflect an understanding of this reality. Its substantial defense investments and unwavering commitment to U.S.-led initiatives have positioned it as a leader within NATO.
However, the question remains whether other European nations will follow suit and increase their military spending or continue to rely on American protection.
As discussions about the future of NATO and transatlantic security continue, Hegseth’s remarks in Warsaw signal that changes may be coming.
Whether this means troop reductions or strategic realignments, European allies have been put on notice: the U.S. military presence in Europe is not permanent, and the time to prepare for that reality is now.
