Poland’s conservative nationalist president, Karol Nawrocki, is scheduled to meet former President Donald Trump at the White House, a visit that has ignited fresh tensions with the pro-European government led by Donald Tusk. Nawrocki, who unexpectedly clinched victory in Poland's presidential election, ran on a campaign reminiscent of Trump's own rhetoric, adopting the slogan “Poland first, Poles first.” His election has received backing from the populist right-wing opposition party, Law and Justice, which was in power from 2015 until 2023.
Having previously met Trump prior to the election, Nawrocki secured a coveted endorsement from the former president, positioning himself as a leader capable of safeguarding Poland's interests within the conservative U.S. administration. Following Nawrocki's victory, Trump took to Truth Social to celebrate, stating, “Such a great win in Poland by Karol Nawrocki. He will be a great president!” This upcoming meeting at the White House marks Nawrocki's first official overseas trip since assuming office last month, serving as a critical test of his foreign policy abilities.
In a bid to assert Poland's influence in regional matters, Nawrocki recently hosted a summit in Warsaw, engaging with leaders from Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine. He has also been in communication with other European Union leaders to prepare for his talks with Trump, aiming for Poland to take on a broader role in advocating for the region’s interests. His chief foreign policy advisor, Marcin Przydacz, indicated that discussions with Trump would primarily focus on security issues, emphasizing Poland’s status as NATO’s leading military spender, a fact that has drawn praise from Trump.
Nawrocki is expected to share Poland's insights on the ongoing Ukraine war during his meeting with Trump. This includes addressing his discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, wherein he aims to highlight the root causes of the aggression and clearly identify Russia as the aggressor, according to Przydacz.
The upcoming visit has further strained relations between Nawrocki and Tusk, the centrist prime minister and former president of the European Council. Nawrocki, a vocal critic of Tusk, has promised to continue supporting Ukraine but opposes its membership in NATO and seeks to tighten benefits for Ukrainian refugees in Poland. His actions signal a desire to pursue a foreign policy that operates independently of the current government.
Prior to the Alaska summit between Trump and Putin, Nawrocki participated in a phone call with Trump, effectively sidelining Tusk, who traditionally represented Poland in such discussions. This move not only marginalized Tusk but also led to Poland skipping a high-profile meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where Poland did not send any representatives, resulting in blame exchanges between both parties.
During his meeting with Trump, Nawrocki is also anticipated to emphasize the significance of maintaining U.S. military presence in Poland, where approximately 10,000 troops are stationed. Recent reports suggest that the number of U.S. troops in Poland may be under review, raising concerns amid escalating tensions with Russia. This meeting takes place against a backdrop of growing frustration on both sides of the Atlantic regarding Russian actions that seem aimed at obstructing peace efforts in the region. Trump expressed his disappointment in Putin, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Just hours before the pivotal meeting, Poland was forced to scramble its own and allied aircraft to monitor its airspace due to a major night attack on Ukraine, with over 500 strikes reported across the country. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy is set to participate in a meeting with Nordic and Baltic leaders in Denmark, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine.
The increasing conflict between Nawrocki and Tusk has drawn attention to the internal divisions within the Polish government, particularly as ministers have called on Nawrocki to align his discussions with Trump to the government's stance. Nawrocki's aides have dismissed this pressure, suggesting that the visit could pave the way for a "new opening" in U.S.-Polish relations, which they argue have been strained by Tusk's previous criticisms of Trump.
Amidst these tensions, a memo advising the president on how to conduct his talks with Trump was leaked, which Nawrocki's aides ridiculed as resembling a "college essay." Furthermore, Nawrocki's decision to exclude government officials from his delegation marks a departure from the norm, as typically a junior minister would accompany the president on overseas visits. Instead, Przydacz stated he would relay updates to the government via memo.
Despite Nawrocki's meeting with Trump, Tusk plans to represent Poland in a hybrid meeting of the "coalition of the willing" on Thursday. The internal strife could hinder Poland's capacity to play a significant role in shaping Europe’s response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Poland has been a key player in welcoming over a million Ukrainian refugees and has served as a major logistics hub for military and humanitarian aid deliveries.
