US lawmakers from both parties have sharply criticised the Pentagon after it cancelled the planned deployment of thousands of American troops to Poland, a key NATO ally bordering Ukraine.
According to a report by broadcaster TVP World, the move followed confirmation that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had halted the routine rotational deployment of around 4,000 US soldiers from Texas, who had been due to begin a nine-month tour in Poland.
Poland plays a major role in NATO’s military presence on the alliance’s eastern flank amid continuing security concerns linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the decision came after a “comprehensive, multilayered process” and denied it had been made suddenly.
However, several senior lawmakers rejected that explanation.
Republican Congressman Don Bacon said Polish officials had not been informed in advance and described the decision as “a slap in the face” to both Poland and the Baltic states.
