US pulls back troops from key Ukraine aid hub in Poland

The United States is pulling some of its troops and equipment out of Rzeszów, a city in south-eastern Poland that has quietly become one of the most important gateways for getting weapons and humanitarian aid into Ukraine.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion back in 2022, Rzeszów’s Jasionka Airport has been the beating heart of the Western supply chain to Ukraine. But now, the US says it’s time to make some changes.

US military shift in Poland driven by cost-cutting and strategic efficiency

According to the US Army Europe and Africa, the move is all about refining their operations. In a statement on Monday, they explained they’ll be relocating troops and gear from Jasionka to other sites across Poland, in a shift that’s expected to save American taxpayers tens of millions of dollars each year.

They also said the plan had been in the works for months and was coordinated with both the Polish government and NATO.

But this isn’t a goodbye. The military effort at Jasionka won’t stop — far from it. It’ll now be handled more directly by Polish and NATO forces, with the US still offering support, just with a smaller footprint on the ground.

Germany has already taken over some of the security duties in the region, sending two Patriot air defence systems to Rzeszów in January. At the time, Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz called it a great example of “supporting each other within NATO.”

While Warsaw hasn’t officially responded to the latest American announcement, it’s clear that Poland’s role in the region is only growing. And that’s something the US seems more than comfortable with.

General Christopher Donahue, who leads the US Army in Europe and Africa, praised Poland, calling it “a great host” and highlighting the shift towards more permanent US facilities elsewhere in the country.

US-Poland military transition marks natural evolution in alliance

Daniel Lawton, the current head of the US Embassy in Poland, thanked the people of Jasionka for their warm hospitality over the past three years, calling their support a testament to the strength of US-Polish ties.

“This transition lets us keep working closely together while being smarter about how we use our resources,” he said.

The relationship between the two countries remains strong. In fact, just last week, the US and Poland signed a $2 billion deal to support and train Polish forces using the Patriot systems — the very ones protecting Rzeszów now.

With around 10,000 American troops still in Poland and a permanent US base already set up on NATO’s eastern flank, it’s clear this is not about pulling back — it’s about adapting to what’s needed now.

And for Poland, that means taking on more responsibility — not because the US is leaving, but because it trusts them to lead.

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