U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to visit Poland on Friday, where he will meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in Warsaw.

Hegseth stated in Brussels on Wednesday that Poland, allocating 5% of its GDP to defense, serves as a model for Europe. He dismissed Ukraine’s NATO membership and the restoration of its pre-2014 borders as “unrealistic.” Hegseth also reaffirmed that the U.S. will not deploy troops to Ukraine.

According to Poland’s Ministry of National Defense (MON), Poland is among the first countries visited by Hegseth in his new role. His visit will extend through Saturday. The itinerary includes a morning meeting between Kosiniak-Kamysz and Hegseth, followed by a joint press conference. At noon, President Duda will host Hegseth at the Presidential Palace. The U.S. defense secretary and his Polish counterpart will also visit the 33rd Air Transport Base in Powidz to meet with military personnel.

Discussions between Kosiniak-Kamysz and Hegseth will focus on strengthening bilateral military cooperation, joint defense projects, and continuing deterrence efforts on NATO’s eastern flank. Poland remains a close U.S. ally, actively cooperating with the United States both bilaterally and within NATO. The country also hosts U.S. troops and continues to invest in cutting-edge American military equipment.

In 2024, Poland signed a contract with the U.S. for 96 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, along with a logistics package. The country also secured agreements for the delivery and integration of the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) as part of the WISŁA and NAREW air defense programs. Additionally, in January 2025, Poland finalized a deal for over 200 AGM-88G AARGM-ER (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles – Extended Range). Future procurements may follow, pending further U.S. government approvals.

The MON emphasized that Poland is one of the few NATO members planning defense expenditures near 5% of its GDP—currently at 4.7%—well above the alliance’s 2% target.

During a recent meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels, Hegseth praised Poland’s commitment to defense spending, calling it a model for Europe. He also stated that Ukraine’s NATO membership and a return to its pre-2014 borders were unrealistic. Hegseth reiterated that the U.S. would not deploy troops to Ukraine but emphasized the need for lasting security guarantees, supported by European and international peacekeeping forces stationed in Ukraine.

Hegseth also argued that NATO’s current 2% GDP defense spending requirement is insufficient. Echoing former President Donald Trump’s stance, he advocated for raising the threshold to 5%, describing enhanced defense investment as essential for long-term security. He asserted that ensuring European security must be a priority for European NATO members, with Europe taking the lead in supplying Ukraine with military aid.

On Thursday in Brussels, Hegseth defended Trump’s initiative to begin “immediate” negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the war in Ukraine, dismissing claims that such talks would constitute a betrayal of Ukraine. He stated that “the entire world and the United States are committed to a negotiated peace.”

Photo: DOD Public Affairs / gov