Polish President Karol Nawrocki has arrived in Washington, D.C., for a several-day visit that includes a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and attendance at the UFC Freedom 250 gala hosted at the White House. The trip comes at a critical time for transatlantic security discussions, with the Polish leader expected to press for a permanent U.S. military presence in Poland.
President Nawrocki landed in the United States on Saturday evening local time, beginning a tightly packed itinerary. On Sunday, he is scheduled to join President Trump’s 80th birthday celebrations at the White House, where the mixed martial arts gala UFC Freedom 250 will take place, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. The event, combining sports and political symbolism, is hosted personally by Trump. Nawrocki brought with him a Polish MMA fighter as a special guest, a detail highlighted by Polish media.
According to Marcin Przydacz, head of the Presidential International Policy Bureau, the talks between Nawrocki and Trump will focus on matters of Polish security, bilateral relations, and energy-economic cooperation. Przydacz emphasized the importance of the U.S. military presence on Polish soil. – The most important issue for us is the policy of security, the presence of American soldiers on Polish territory – said Marcin Przydacz. The official added that the discussion will also address the possibility of a permanent U.S. troop deployment in Poland, a long-standing Polish demand amid regional instability.
Security and military cooperation at the center of talks
The meeting between the two presidents is expected to include a direct one-on-one conversation. When asked whether Nawrocki would have the opportunity for a private discussion with Trump, Przydacz confirmed that contact and a conversation will take place. – There will be a contact, there will be a conversation – he said. The Polish leader aims to secure concrete commitments regarding the continued and expanded presence of American forces, which are currently stationed in Poland on a rotational basis.
Poland has been one of NATO’s most vocal advocates for a stronger eastern flank. Nawrocki’s visit builds on previous diplomatic efforts by his predecessor, but this trip is particularly significant given Trump’s known skepticism of multilateral alliances. The personal relationship between the two leaders is seen as a key asset for Warsaw.
Diplomatic engagements and meetings with the Polish community
Beyond the White House, President Nawrocki’s schedule includes a meeting on Monday with Senate Majority Leader John Thune on Capitol Hill. Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, is a key figure in the U.S. Senate and his support for Poland’s security interests could be crucial. The discussion is expected to cover defense cooperation and economic ties.
On Tuesday, Nawrocki will travel to Clearwater, Florida, where he will meet with members of the Polish diaspora at the John Paul II Center. He also participated in a Sunday mass with the Polish community in Maryland earlier in the visit. These gatherings underscore the importance of the Polish-American community as a bridge between the two countries.
The visit also includes a planned attendance at a mass in Washington. Przydacz confirmed that the president will also hold talks with other American politicians, though specific names were not disclosed. The overall aim of the trip is to reinforce Poland’s strategic partnership with the United States, particularly in the realms of defense and energy.
Źródło: Polsat News, Fot. Polsat News
