Poland, said U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, "is a great democratic ally of the United States." On his recent visit there, the Secretary discussed security, which as he noted, "is always front and center in all of America’s international relationships, and none any more important than here in Poland."
Poland and the United States are working together through NATO to strengthen Europe’s deterrence and defense capabilities. Secretary Tillerson commended Poland "for already achieving the commitment of two percent defense spending." Indeed, Poland has set targets that are even above the two percent level, which will benefit Poland as well as the NATO alliance.
On other fronts, the U.S. and Poland are increasing their collaboration to confront cyber threats and disinformation, and coordinating support for Ukraine’s efforts to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Like Poland, the United States opposes the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a new export gas pipeline running from Russia to Europe across the Baltic Sea. The fear is that such a pipeline would increase Europe’s dependence on Russian gas and provide billions of dollars of additional revenue to Russian President Vladimir Putin to finance a further military build-up on the European Union’s borders. "Our opposition is driven by our mutual strategic interest," said Secretary Tillerson, "and we strongly believe that Poland having the means – as well as all of Europe" should diversify its energy supply in the interest of long-term security.
The U.S. is proud to support Poland’s energy diversification and security, including through sales of United States-produced liquefied natural gas, as well as support for pipeline proposals that would give Poland and Europe greater access to alternative supplies, such as the Norway-to-Poland Baltic natural gas pipeline, as well as greater integration through the Three Seas Initiatives.
"As we’ve done in the past," said Secretary Tillerson, "the United States is proud to stand with the people of Poland today," and in the future.
