Change of topic: "Fort Trump"

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The possibility of a permanent U.S. military base in Poland moved a few steps forward this week.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis met with his Polish counterpart Mariusz Blaszczak Tuesday to discuss Poland’s offer to spend $2 billion on a permanent base for U.S. troops and their families in the country. The base was jokingly called “Fort Trump” by Poland’s president after meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump.

“We are working out the details on what the offer is, what can best contribute to alliance unity, to alliance security and to the continued strengthening of the bilateral relationship,” Mattis told the press prior to his talks with Blaszczak.

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The details of Poland’s offer are still being worked out, Mattis said. He noted that officials are looking at what can best contribute to the NATO alliance’s unity and security, not just the U.S.-Poland bilateral relationship.

“We strongly appreciate the U.S. forces' presence in Poland, strengthening deterrence and defense of Poland and the whole NATO alliance," Blaszczak said after meeting with Mattis. "I hope it will transform in the coming years into an even more robust and long-term commitment.”

Trump showed interest in the idea of a permanent U.S. base in September, particularly because of Poland’s financial contribution to it.

“Poland is willing to make a very major contribution to the United States to come in and have a presence in Poland,” Trump told reporters at the White House after he met with Polish President Andrzej Duda. "If they’re willing to do that, it’s something we will certainly talk about.”

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