Poland says potential US NATO exit must be taken ‘seriously’

Poland’s top diplomat issued a stark warning Thursday, stating that NATO members can no longer dismiss the prospect of a US exit from the alliance and must begin contingency planning. Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski wrote on X: “We should treat this [the US withdrawal from NATO] as a possible scenario and take it seriously - us in Poland, especially on the eastern flank, and all of us, across the political spectrum.” He noted that when he previously called for maintaining two “insurance policies” in a parliamentary address, the idea drew surprise, but recent events have reinforced the need for alternatives.

Trump’s repeated criticism of NATO

Sikorski’s remarks follow renewed attacks on NATO by US President Donald Trump, who has grown frustrated with European allies over their reluctance to support US military actions against Iran, particularly regarding the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Trump has labeled NATO members “cowards” and, in an interview with The Telegraph, described the alliance as a “paper tiger,” adding that leaving NATO was “beyond reconsideration.” Despite Trump’s rhetoric, a unilateral US withdrawal would face legal hurdles: a 2023 law requires approval from a two-thirds majority in the US Senate before any such move can proceed.

Türkiye’s position and eastern flank concerns

“Of course, NATO is the cornerstone of our security,” Sikorski said. “We want to be a good, loyal ally of the United States, but we cannot pretend that the US President isn’t saying what he is saying.” For Türkiye, a NATO member with the alliance’s second-largest military and control over the strategic Bosporus strait, any US disengagement would fundamentally reshape European security architecture. Ankara has maintained a delicate balance—remaining within NATO while pursuing independent foreign policies and maintaining dialogue with Russia. As eastern flank nations like Poland scramble for backup plans, Türkiye’s role as a regional power broker could grow significantly.