Europe seeks to defuse Trump criticism ahead of NATO summit in Ankara
European officials are reacting to US President Trump's recent announcement regarding troop deployments in Poland. The decision to send 5,000 American soldiers caught many allies off guard, especially following a recent withdrawal from Germany. As NATO foreign ministers prepare for an upcoming summit, there is a mix of gratitude from Poland and confusion among other European leaders.
- ▪US President Trump announced the deployment of 5,000 American soldiers to Poland.
- ▪This announcement surprised European allies and the Pentagon.
- ▪Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski expressed gratitude for the decision.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (center) and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (to his right), during a group photo at the meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Helsingborg, Sweden, on Friday, May 22, 2026. JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON VIA REUTERS Even when he is not present, he remains at the center of attention. By announcing late on Thursday, May 21, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, the deployment of 5,000 American soldiers to Poland after "the successful [June 2025] election of the now president of Poland, Karol Nawrocki," his ally in Europe, US President Donald Trump once again caught his European allies off guard during their meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden – as well as the Pentagon, which was again unaware of the decision.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Le Monde (EN).
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