Poland Shows Europe How to Stop Freeloading on American Taxpayers for Defense

Poland is doing what too many European nations have dodged for decades: pouring serious money into defense. At 4.7% of its GDP, Warsaw’s commitment dwarfs the NATO average and puts the continent’s heavyweights to shame. When Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Poland’s resolve in a call with Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski on April 23, 2025, he wasn’t just handing out compliments. He was sounding a clarion call. Europe must stop leaning on America’s military might and start pulling its weight.

For years, the United States has bankrolled NATO, footing two-thirds of the alliance’s defense bill while maintaining 85,000 troops across Europe. Meanwhile, countries like Germany and France have lagged, barely scraping the 2% GDP target NATO set in 2014. Poland’s example exposes this complacency. With Russia’s war in Ukraine raging and global threats mounting, Rubio’s message is clear: Europe’s free ride is over.

This isn’t about charity. It’s about survival. Russia’s aggression, from Crimea’s annexation to its ongoing assault on Ukraine, proves Moscow respects only strength. Poland gets it. By doubling down on military modernization and hosting U.S. troops, it’s become NATO’s eastern bulwark. Other nations, Rubio implied, need to follow suit or risk being left vulnerable.

The timing couldn’t be more urgent. As the U.S. pivots to counter China’s growing influence in Asia, Europe can’t afford to dawdle. Rubio’s call with Sikorski wasn’t just diplomatic nicety; it was a demand for action, rooted in the reality that America’s priorities are shifting.

Rubio’s conversation with Sikorski also tackled the Russia-Ukraine war, a conflict that’s bled Europe for over three years. The U.S. has proposed a peace framework, urging both Kyiv and Moscow to negotiate a lasting resolution. This isn’t about caving to Putin. It’s about pragmatism. The war has drained resources, destabilized energy markets, and stretched NATO’s eastern flank. A deal that stops the fighting while preserving Ukraine’s sovereignty is in everyone’s interest.

Skeptics in Kyiv and parts of Europe balk at the U.S. plan, especially its reported suggestion that Ukraine might recognize Russia’s grip on Crimea. They call it a betrayal. But this criticism misses the point. The U.S. isn’t asking Ukraine to surrender; it’s pushing for a realistic path to peace that halts Russia’s advance without endless American involvement. Ukraine’s rejection of territorial concessions is understandable, but prolonging a stalemate risks more lives and deeper economic pain.

Historical precedent backs this approach. The 1995 Dayton Accords ended the Bosnian War not by satisfying everyone but by forcing tough compromises. Similarly, the U.S. is pressing Ukraine and Russia to face hard truths. Moscow’s demand for sanctions relief and a front-line freeze is a nonstarter, but direct talks, as Rubio and Sikorski discussed, could find middle ground. The alternative—endless war—serves no one but Putin.

Poland’s role here is pivotal. As a frontline state, it’s funneled aid to Ukraine and hosted U.S. forces, all while advocating for a balanced peace. Sikorski’s alignment with Rubio signals Warsaw’s understanding that diplomacy, backed by military strength, is the only way to check Russia.

Poland’s defense surge stands in stark contrast to Europe’s broader record. NATO’s 2024 data shows 23 of 32 members hitting the 2% GDP target, a big leap from 2014’s three. But this progress masks lingering weaknesses. Germany, Europe’s economic engine, only recently met the goal, and France still hovers around it. Smaller nations like Belgium and Canada remain below the mark, undermining alliance unity.

The U.S. has long carried the load, spending 3.4% of GDP on defense and covering two-thirds of NATO’s total outlay. This imbalance isn’t sustainable, especially as America redirects resources to Asia. Rubio’s praise for Poland is a pointed jab at laggards who’ve coasted on U.S. protection. The 2022 Ukraine invasion was a wake-up call, yet some allies still hit snooze.

Advocates for higher European spending, like Rubio, aren’t just posturing. Increased budgets mean modernized arsenals, better deterrence, and less reliance on American taxpayers. Poland’s investment in U.S.-Polish joint ventures, like ammunition production, shows how allies can share the burden while boosting their own economies. Europe’s ReArm initiative, aiming for €800 billion in defense by 2030, is a step forward, but it’s no substitute for immediate action.

The broader context of Rubio’s call is a shifting U.S. foreign policy. Since 2022, America’s approach to European security has evolved. The Trump administration has made clear it won’t babysit Europe forever. Plans to cut 10,000 troops from NATO’s eastern flank and demands for trade concessions signal a transactional mindset. This isn’t isolationism; it’s a recalibration. Europe must own its defense, and Poland is leading the way.

Critics in Washington and Brussels argue this risks fracturing NATO. They pine for the days of unconditional U.S. leadership, claiming America’s pullback emboldens Russia. But this view ignores reality. The U.S. faces a rising China, domestic economic pressures, and a war-weary public. Expecting America to indefinitely bankroll Europe’s security is naive. Poland’s proactive stance proves allies can step up without undermining the alliance.

Rubio’s vision, echoed by Sikorski, is a NATO where Europe matches America’s commitment. This doesn’t mean abandoning Ukraine or NATO’s eastern members. It means a stronger, more equitable alliance capable of facing Russia and other threats without constant U.S. hand-holding.

Poland’s defense surge and Rubio’s diplomatic push are a blueprint for a stronger Europe. Warsaw’s investment sends a message to Moscow: aggression will meet resistance. Its cooperation with the U.S. on peace talks shows diplomacy can work when backed by strength. Other nations must take note. Doubling defense budgets, modernizing forces, and supporting a realistic Ukraine peace deal aren’t optional; they’re essential for Europe’s survival.

The U.S. won’t walk away from NATO, but it’s done carrying dead weight. Rubio’s call with Sikorski is a challenge to Europe: emulate Poland or face the consequences. A continent that fails to defend itself invites chaos, and America won’t be there to clean up the mess.