Polish leaders condemn Hegseth’s “scandalous” remarks downplaying role of US allies in Afghanistan

Polish leaders criticized US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for remarks minimizing allies' contributions in Afghanistan. Speaker of Parliament Włodzimierz Czarzasty called the comments "scandalous," while Prime Minister Donald Tusk shared a message from a Polish medic recalling the last Polish soldier's death. Hegseth's speech suggested only a few countries were significantly involved in combat operations, prompting backlash from Polish officials, including Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski. Tusk emphasized the importance of recognizing Polish soldiers' sacrifices and expressed disappointment over President Karol Nawrocki's silence on the issue. This incident reflects ongoing tensions between Poland and the US regarding the acknowledgment of allied contributions in military operations.