The US withdraws its troops from the base of Jasionka. Poland and NATO allies take on the security of logistics hub for Ukraine's military support
A soldier passes by the Patriot anti-aircraft defense systems installed at the Ukraine military hub at Rzeszów-Jasionka, Poland. Photo: Sergei gap / AFP / Profimedia
The United States is due to withdraw its troops and equipment from the Base Rzeszów-Jasionka, a southeast Poland aerodrome used as a logistics center for the transport of military aid for Ukraine, managing this platform to be taken over by Poland and other NATO allies, the US military command and the Polish Minister of Defense announced on Tuesday. EFE, according to Agerpres.
American troops from Rzeszów-Jasionka will not withdraw from Poland, they are to be relocated to other bases in this country, and the decision is motivated by economic considerations.
According to a statement from the US Command for Europe and Africa, Usareur-AF, “this planned relocation is part of a wider strategy to optimize American military operations, to improve support for allies and partners, as well as to increase efficiency.”
For his part, Commander Usareur-AF, General Christopher Donahue, said this decision will lead to “tens of millions of dollars a year for US taxpayers.”
During this time, the Polish Defense Minister, Wladislaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, wanted to ensure that US-withd-Jasionka's US troops will remain in Poland, but will be redesigned to other bases.
“The decision, of course, was agreed with us and indicated the bases where we can accept these American soldiers,” the minister said.
The Jasionka air base, located near the city of Rzeszów, about 50 kilometers from the border with Ukraine, has become from the beginning of the war in this country the main logistics center through which the military aid provided to the Ukrainian army is channeled. About 95% of this help is transported by this base.
The United States has said that this flow will continue through the Hub on the Rzeszów-Jasionka aerodrome, but from now on Poland and other NATO countries will assume the task of ensuring the security of the base, where Patriot's powerful anti-aircraft batteries have been carried out.
The information on the redistribution of American troops at the Rzeszów-Jasionka base arises in the context of greater concerns about a possible reduction of the American military presence on the eastern NATO flank. On Tuesday, NBC News reported, citing American and European officials, that the Pentagon discusses the possibility of withdrawing up to half of the troops dislocated by the Biden Administration in Eastern Europe.
The Ministry of Defense has stated for The Guardian that moving American troops from Jasionka to other bases in Poland is part of the decisions set at the NATO summit of 2024 and that the herds remain at the same level, around 10,000 soldiers.
“The wider presence of the US in the region remains unchanged. The American troops that have been moved from Jasionka will remain in Poland, only they will be held in other bases. Support for Ukraine and the exchange of information continues without interruptions,” said Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that the relocation was “consulted” with the US several weeks before and stressed: “We are not talking about a reduction in the US presence in Poland or Europe. I am talking about the insurance we received from Americans. I hope they will be confirmed.”
Interim president Ilie Bolojan denied on Tuesday the variant of the withdrawal of the American military from Romania, specifying that he also asked for the Minister of Defense, Angel Tîlvă, to come out with a public position on this subject.
Subsequently, the MApN confirmed that it has not received any official information so far about the possible withdrawal, specifying that all the bilateral agreements signed in this framework “are in force, are permanently respected and adapted to the security developments in the regional environment”.
