Poland Offers US $2 Billion to Establish a Permanent Military Base

President Duda says base would be a bulwark against Russia

Visiting the White House on Tuesday, Polish President Andrzej Duda reiterated Poland’s offer to pay $2 billion to the US if President Trump establishes a permanent military base inside Poland. Duda argues it is needed as a bulwark against Russia.

This is not a new offer, though Duda’s visit gives it a lot more attention. Polish Defense Ministry officials announced the offer back in May, saying they want a US armored division and are willing to defray some of the construction costs of the base.

In reality, the cost putting a US armored base in Poland on a permanent basis is going to be several hundred million dollars per year, and while Poland’s cash may make the initial move into the country cheaper, it will quickly be another costly mission for the US with no end in sight.

Duda appears to be aware that there is limited interest in this proposal right now, and is trying to appeal to President Trump’s vanity by suggesting the base be called Fort Trump. Trump has been feted on previous trips to Poland, and has said he is “considering” the proposal.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.