WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’s “very seriously” considering a greater U.S. troop presence in Poland as he meets with that country’s president at the White House.
Trump is telling reporters in the Oval Office that Poland is “willing to make a very major contribution to the United States to come in and have a presence in Poland.” Sitting alongside Poland’s President Andrzej Duda, Trump says “certainly it’s something we will discuss.”
Facing Russia’s increased military activity, Poland has been pressing for the 3,000 U.S. troops now on rotating deployment in Poland to be upgraded to a larger, permanent presence.
A decision from the U.S. could come early next year.
Trump and Duda are also discussing trade and energy cooperation.
The U.S. president is renewing his criticism of a planned new natural gas pipeline linking Germany with Russia.
Trump says it’s “ridiculous” and bad for the German people.
The White House has said that trade, the military and security issues will be part of the conversation with the nation of 38 million that has close ties to the United States.
Warsaw was the first stop on Trump’s first European tour last year.