U.S. missile defense base to open in Poland: Sikorski highlights strength of bilateral alliance
On November 13, the missile defense base in Redzikowo, located in northern Poland, will officially open, as confirmed by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on social media.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław SikorskiPAP/Radek Pietruszka
In a shared video statement, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski explained that this will be “the first permanent U.S. military installation on Polish soil.”
“The project for the base was initiated by Republican President George Bush. It commenced under Democrat Barack Obama, continued under Republican Donald Trump, and was ultimately completed during the presidency of Democrat Joe Biden,” Sikorski clarified.
“It took some time, but this project is proof of the geostrategic consistency of the United States,” he added.
Sikorski highlighted his personal role in the project, noting that he had signed the agreement with then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on August 20, 2008. He acknowledged the difficulties of the negotiations but emphasized that they ultimately led to a favorable outcome for Poland.
The Polish top diplomat underscored the bipartisan nature of Poland’s security policy, noting that the country’s political leaders consistently present a united front on matters of security and foreign relations when engaging with international partners.
Milestone in security cooperation, says Sikorski, regarding U.S. military base in Poland
The head of Polish diplomacy explained that the agreement ensures the missile defense system protects both the United States and Poland. As a result, American Patriot missile launchers were deployed in Poland for the first time, followed by the introduction of F-16 aircraft to patrol Polish airspace.
Sikorski concluded by highlighting the enduring strength of the Polish-American alliance, emphasizing that it remains solid regardless of who is in power in Warsaw or Washington.
Redzikowo is located in the northern part of Poland, near the city of Słupsk in the Pomeranian Voivodeship. It is situated approximately 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) southeast of Słupsk, and around 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of the Baltic Sea coast.
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