US eastern flank presence not up for negotiation - Polish security chief
The US has affirmed that its military presence on NATO's eastern flank is not a subject of negotiation with Russia, the head of Poland's National Security Bureau (BBN) has reported.
Dariusz Lukowski held discussions with US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz on Thursday. Following the video conference, the BBN said that during the conversation, Waltz reaffirmed the "continuity and credibility of American security guarantees within NATO."
Speaking to PAP on Friday, Lukowski said that he asked Waltz whether the US might discuss the future presence of its troops in NATO's Central Europe, including Poland, during ongoing negotiations with Russia.
"The Americans stated unequivocally that their presence in Eastern Europe, our region, is absolutely not subject to any discussion, and they will not succumb to any Russian pressure in this area," he said.
"I was told directly that the US will certainly not allow the Russians to dictate the character of the allied presence in those countries that joined NATO after 1997 when the NATO-Russia Founding Act was concluded," the official added. (PAP)
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