U.S. Troops in Poland: “LIAISING” or “TRAINING” – The Pentagon Says It’s the First
After President Joe Biden asked reporters what the U.S. forces in Poland were doing, the Pentagon leaned into the word “liaising.” It’s a mouth‑watering blend of diplomacy‑style realism and a twist of military understatement.
Beating the Classic Definition of “Training”
When Biden chatted his way through a press conference last week, he said he’d been talking to U.S. troops “helping to train” Ukrainian forces – a phrase that sounded a lot like a book‑ending “War & Peace” but with less romance.
Enter John Kirby, Pentagon spokesperson, who stepped in with a brisk answer:
- “It’s not training in the classic sense that people often picture.
- “It’s liaising during weapon hand‑offs.”
Kirby didn’t detail how long those hugs lasted or what icebreakers were used—just a tidy summary that sets the fine line between keeping EU citizens safe and avoiding a full‑scale U.S. war‑time count‑to‑Three.
What “Liaising” Means on the Ground
Picture a friendly handover: U.S. troops present the latest anti‑aircraft and anti‑tank weapons, shake hands with Ukrainian soldiers, and maybe toss in a polite “Have a good war.” Nothing about yelling “Enemy! RUN!” or wearing trainer‑suits.
That’s how the U.S. and its allies keep the focus on intelligence sharing and heavy weaponry delivery – it’s political choreography that keeps “direct involvement” in the back‑seat of the narrative.
Troops Roll Out, Flashlights Flicker
More than 100 000 U.S. soldiers now call Europe home – a jump from the 80 000 that were there before the “big ol’ invasion” hit Ukraine. New contingent plans include:
- 10 F‑18 jets taking to the skies over eastern Europe.
- 200 additional personnel swooping into Lithuania as the region gears up for potential fire‑power showdowns.
That’s the freshest wave of reinforcement after the Russian troops suddenly decided it was “time to visit” Ukraine’s capital and eastern territories.
Russia’s Refusal to Pull Back and the East‑West Tango
Moscow promised it would scale back near Kyiv and Chernihiv, but the West scoffed with the classic disbelief: “It’s like Russia telling us it’s backing off, but then posting videos of a doggy parade in the middle of a battlefield.” Kirby admitted that small numbers may have moved away, but bullets are still raining down elsewhere.
“Russia failed in its goal to boss Ukraine. It’s a reality check,” Kirby said. That’s a sobering reminder that the U.S. army’s presence is more about “watchful caution” than a full‑scale ghost‑crew invasion.
Bottom Line: Liaisons Keep the Engines Running
So when you next hear “the U.S. is training” in Poland, think of a quick handshake, a handoff of lethal tech, and a careful brief on what to do next. No shouting “Let’s go!” – just a nod.
