WARSAW, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Poland's Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said on Thursday that the U.S. and Poland would cut a deal on the increase of American troops on Polish soil still this year.
"All signs indicate that we will successfully conclude negotiations with the United States this year -- there will be an increase in U.S. troops in Poland," Blaszczak told Polish Radio One on Thursday morning.
Blaszczak added that he expected to visit Washington soon as part of efforts to finalize negotiations with the U.S.
Poland has been lobbying for a permanent U.S. military base in the country, which Warsaw has dubbed "Fort Trump," and even committed to covering part of the costs.
But official sources quoted by Polish media in recent months suggest that the Americans would not build a large military base contrary to Poland's expectations.
However, the number of U.S. troops in Poland is likely to increase to 6,000 from the current 4,500.
The U.S. is considering permanently stationing some of these troops in Poland. Currently, U.S. troops have a rotational presence in the country.
In April, Polish media reported that U.S. President Donald Trump was likely to visit Warsaw on Sept. 1, on the anniversary of the Nazi invasion of Poland which kicked off the World War II, and on that occasion he could officially announce the decision on the U.S. troop increase.
