No reduction of US troops in Europe, assures Polish official
The head of the National Security Bureau (BBN), General Dariusz Lukowski, emphasised that there are currently no binding decisions regarding the potential reduction of American troops in Europe. In his opinion, when making such a decision, Washington is likely to consider the agreement that provides the USA with "very favourable conditions."
The U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) Command announced a planned relocation of American personnel and military equipment from the airport in Jasionka, near Rzeszów, which has been a key hub for supporting Ukraine since the beginning of the war.
- What is happening around Jasionka is connected to the decision made at the summit in Washington in 2024 to transfer responsibility for the logistical hub, which was managed by the Polish side, to the Alliance. It was established that this will be handled by a special allied mission, NSATU (NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine), under allied command. This resulted in a change in the configuration of the entire operation - said the head of the National Security Bureau during a briefing in Warsaw.
As he noted, as a result of talks in Washington, the decision was made that "the United States will partially reduce its presence, withdraw certain elements related to the maintenance of Ukrainian equipment, move to their locations in Poland, which were previously occupied by them, and from there, they will undertake these tasks."
- Participation of individual countries was also verified - he added.
The head of the BBN assured at the same time that "the entire operation in Jasionka has not been reduced or scaled down."
- All operations that were carried out there are being conducted at the same level, if not greater; the capabilities have not undergone any changes. We cannot talk about any movements related to the withdrawal of any American troops from Polish territory - he noted.
The head of the BBN on American soldiers: no binding decisions
- I emphasise that in my conversation with (U.S. National Security Advisor) Mike Waltz last week, I raised this topic. It was pointed out to me that the process is ongoing, there are no binding decisions regarding what reductions (of U.S. military presence) will occur, or if there will be reductions in Europe at all, and which countries it will affect - he said.
As pointed out, the American side is "fully aware" of the "specific agreement" that provides very favourable conditions for the presence of American troops in Europe. - All these elements will probably be considered when making decisions in the future - he said.
"This is no surprise." U.S. soldiers are leaving Jasionka
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