The idea of a “special” US-Polish relationship has still much currency in Poland and was revived with President Nawrocki’s inaugural Washington visit. But the muted US reaction to Russia’s drones violating Polish airspace is causing Poles to rethink it.

The narrow presidential election win of Karol Nawrocki has made to the task of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk much harder. Still, there is a chance for a continued Polish leadership role in Europe.

Relations with the United States “in a new phase,” Poland is experiencing something of a Zeitenwende, or historic turn, when it comes to the country’s fundamental foreign policy orientation. The US president is far from universally disliked, though.

The Polish prime minister needs to juggle domestic constraints and European tasks. It will be a difficult balancing act.