Behind the US withdrawal from a key arms aid center for Ukraine in Poland

The US military will withdraw troops and equipment from Jasionka, a key logistics hub in southeastern Poland that has served as the main gateway for much of the weapons aid to Ukraine.

The move, described by the Pentagon as part of an effort to optimize operations and save costs, comes amid growing European concerns about the US commitment to regional security under President Donald Trump. However, the US side has insisted that aid operations will continue under Polish and NATO leadership.

According to information from Politico.eu on April 8, the decision to withdraw troops from Jasionka is said to help the US save “tens of millions of dollars”. General Christopher Donahue, commander of the US Army in Europe and Africa, said: “After three years of operations in Jasionka, this is an opportunity for us to readjust our presence”.

Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz also confirmed this information on the social network X (formerly Twitter) on April 8. He said: “The tasks previously performed by US forces in Jasionka are now being taken over by other allies. The US military remains in Poland, but is stationed in different locations. The task in Jasionka is now mainly carried out by Norwegian, German, British and Polish forces, along with other allied forces.”

Jasionka Airport, located near the Ukrainian border, has become a key staging area for US, NATO and partner forces since the full-scale Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022. The Polish Ministry of Defense revealed in January this year that up to 95% of military aid to Ukraine was transported through Jasionka. The US military has played a major role in operating the airport and coordinating the transfer of weapons to Ukraine.

“The important work of facilitating military assistance to Ukraine through Jasionka will continue under Polish and NATO leadership,” the US military said in a statement. “Poland and its allies will maintain a robust defense infrastructure around this critical site.” Germany has also recently stepped up its role in protecting the site with Patriot air defense systems.

According to a spokesman for the US Army in Europe and Africa, the US forces withdrawing from Jasionka will be transferred to other locations in Poland, where the US maintains a permanent garrison of about 10,000 troops. However, due to operational security factors, the specific timing of the withdrawal has not been disclosed.

The Polish Ministry of Defense stressed that the Jasionka center’s operations were continuous and uninterrupted. It also said that the effort to transfer responsibility to non-US allies was driven by decisions made at last year’s NATO summit in Washington DC, which established a new command called NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine.

“Their previous responsibilities at Jasionka are being taken over by other allied forces… All operations at the logistics center are taking place without interruption and equipment is being efficiently redirected in accordance with established procedures,” the Polish Ministry of Defense confirmed.

The move comes amid growing European concerns about the US commitment to European defense under President Donald Trump. Trump has repeatedly threatened to withdraw from defense NATO members he believes spend too little on defense, and has raised concerns about the sovereignty of Greenland and Canada. Despite this, Poland, which allocates 4.7% of its GDP to defense — the highest in the NATO alliance — has received praise from the US.

Despite concerns about President Trump’s shift in policy toward Russia, his pressure on Ukraine to reach a peace deal, and the trade war he has recently launched against many countries, including NATO allies, Polish officials continue to insist that the United States is an important ally, a view shared by Washington.

“Your support demonstrates the strong ties between our two countries and strengthens the U.S.-Polish partnership,” said Daniel Lawton, Charge d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw. “As we adapt to changing needs, this transition allows us to maintain close cooperation while using resources more efficiently.”

The US withdrawal from the key Jasionka arms aid hub marks a notable shift in the way military assistance is provided to Ukraine. While the aid operation is guaranteed to continue under Polish and NATO leadership, the move raises concerns about the US role and commitment to European security in the current political climate.