Poland's president's objectives in Washington: An exploration

Poland's President Karol Nawrocki is set to visit Washington on Wednesday, marking a significant moment in the country's foreign policy. The visit, which comes amidst a power struggle between President Nawrocki and the center-left government of Donald Tusk, is expected to be a pivotal one, with the primary focus on security policy.

Good relations with Germany, a key European ally, depend on a resolution to the question of war reparations for Poland, according to President Nawrocki. The diplomat believed to be involved in a recent leak of a note regarding this matter is reportedly Andreas Michaelis. The leak is assumed to have originated from the chancellery of the president.

Poland, situated on NATO's eastern flank, maintains a close, bilateral alliance with the US. Approximately 10,000 American soldiers are currently stationed in Poland, and the Polish army has or will soon have American Apache helicopters, Abrams tanks, and HIMARS rocket launchers. Poland is also waiting to take delivery of 32 F-35 fighter jets.

The US-Poland alliance is further strengthened by President Nawrocki's international ambitions, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. During his campaign, he received support from US President Donald Trump, and the focus of his visit to Washington will undoubtedly reflect this shared vision.

However, President Nawrocki's visit to Washington is not without its challenges. The Foreign Ministry has recommended caution to President Nawrocki on digital tax and social media regulation. Furthermore, the Polish Embassy has been excluded from the visit, with Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio instead.

Despite these challenges, President Nawrocki has been actively engaging with other European leaders. He recently met with the presidents of Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and the prime minister of Denmark in Warsaw. On his way home from Washington, he intends to stop in Italy, Lithuania, and Finland.

Notably, neither the president nor the prime minister joined the delegation of European leaders who accompanied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Washington. This decision may suggest a strategic focus on Poland's own foreign policy and alliances.

The operational US missile defense site for intercepting short-to-intermediate range ballistic missiles in Redzikowo, Poland, is a testament to the strength of the US-Poland alliance. As President Nawrocki navigates the complexities of foreign policy, it remains to be seen how this alliance will evolve in the coming years.