Poland is a superb ally and partner of the United States. This is true in many areas – human rights, economic growth, energy security – but particularly in counterterrorism, nonproliferation, missile defense, and regional cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe. As Putin continues his aggressive behavior, Poland – NATO’s biggest defense spender at 4.7 percent of GDP – serves as a stalwart defender of freedom.

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Donald Tusk, the leader of the centrist Civic Coalition, was elected Prime Minister by the Polish parliament in December 2023, beating the governing Law and Justice party (PiS) and its allies and bringing together three separate political coalitions. Tusk framed the election as a referendum on the future of democracy in Poland and pledged to repair relations with the European Union (EU). His government has pledged to unblock EU funding by reversing the judicial reforms of the PiS Government; promised continuing Polish support for Ukraine; committed to make anti-LGBT hate speech a crime; and depoliticize the media. To that end, his government has removed the board of state TV, radio and press organizations. Tusk is also preparing Poland for war. In early March, he announced that Poland would seek access to nuclear arms and will build a 500,000-strong army to defend Poland against Russian threats.

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The strong U.S.-Poland relationship – and our shared commitment to freedom and democracy – dates back to the American Revolution. Today, there are around 10,000 American soldiers stationed there. Poland can never doubt that the United States of America will stand with them, and that we will always have their backs.