Poland’s foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, speaks at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Dec. 3, 2025. Sikorski said Thursday that remarks earlier in the week by President Donald Trump about potentially exiting the alliance should be taken seriously, and that Poland should consider alternative security arrangements. (NATO)
STUTTGART, Germany — Poland should plan for a possible American withdrawal from NATO and come up with alternative security arrangements to avoid being caught flat-footed, the country’s top diplomat said this week.
Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said in a statement Thursday that U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks this week about considering an exit from the security bloc should be taken seriously.
“We should treat (the U.S. withdrawal from NATO) as a possible scenario and take it seriously — us in Poland, especially on the eastern flank, and all of us, across the political spectrum,” Sikorski said on X.
Poland needs different “insurance policies” instead of relying entirely on NATO, he said without elaborating on what a different approach to the alliance would look like. The country “must consider alternatives,” he added.
“Of course, NATO is the cornerstone of our security,” Sikorski said. “Of course, we want to be a good, loyal ally of the United States, but we cannot pretend that the U.S. President isn’t saying what he is saying.”
Trump this week rattled allies by suggesting that the U.S. could withdraw from the alliance it founded nearly 80 years ago to counter the Soviet Union. Trump cited his frustration with Europe over what he sees as a lack of support for the monthlong U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
Next week, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte will head to Washington for a meeting with Trump. While the visit, first reported by The Wall Street Journal was preplanned, Trump’s comments about U.S membership in the alliance are likely to be on the agenda.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also drew attention this week when he blasted countries such as Spain for denying U.S. access to its bases and airspace for Iran-related operations.
The U.S. relationship with Europe would need to be reexamined following the Iran conflict, Rubio said.
For Poland, fostering closer military ties with the United States has long been a top priority. Over the years, Warsaw has ramped up purchases of American-made military equipment while also investing in infrastructure used by U.S. forces in the country.
Poland also is among the biggest per capita defense spenders in NATO, helping the country win favor with the Trump administration.
During a September meeting at the White House with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, Trump said he was open to the idea of deploying more troops to the country.
“We’ll put more there if they want,” Trump said, adding “we’re with Poland all the way, and we will help Poland protect itself.”
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